Hawaii Pacific University announced recently that its school newspaper will become completely student-run beginning with its first edition in the spring semester, rather than continue its tradition since 1969 of being a university newspaper.

The change will allow students to gain journalistic experience while still having the support of HPU staff members. It brings the publication in line with the Society of Professional Journalists’ ethics code.

"The Kalamalama staff will now get even more experience through new responsibilities," said Susanne Haala, the paper’s former editor in chief. "They will grow from their decisions and have to deal with their own consequences."

Kalamalama has been published bimonthly for student and faculty ideas and news. The paper will become a monthly and continue to be distributed to all HPU campuses.

John Windrow, chairman of the HPU journalism program, has been helping to run the paper for two years, including editing and assigning articles.

But beginning with the first spring edition, student editors will have the final say on the paper’s content. Windrow will be its faculty adviser and not its faculty editor.