Flags, vigil in Hawaii honor slain Capital Gazette journalists

Flags are flying at half-staff across Hawaii today and local journalists plan to gather for a moment of silence early Thursday to honor the five Capital Gazette newspaper employees who were shot dead in Annapolis, Md., last week.

The local vigil will be held at 8:33 a.m. Thursday near McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Beach Park, exactly one week from the time a gunman stormed the Capital Gazette newsroom and opened fire. The American Society of News Editors has called on newsrooms worldwide to observe a moment of silence at that time.

Today, Gov. David Ige ordered the U.S. and Hawaii state flags lowered to half-staff at the state Capitol and state office and agencies until sunset. The move followed a proclamation by President Donald Trump that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff at public buildings today.

“A strong democracy requires a healthy media, and the slaying of journalists in Annapolis was a horrible reminder that reporters, editors and others in newsrooms around the country willingly take great risks to vigorously report the news,” Ige said. “We honor those who were slain and acknowledge the vital work journalists perform each day.”

The Gazette staffers killed were editor and columnist Rob Hiaasen, community correspondent Wendi Winters, editorial page editor Gerald Fischman, sports writer John McNamara and sales assistant Rebecca Smith. Jarrod W. Ramos faces five counts of first-degree murder in their deaths.