Are Media Mergers Good For Hawaiʻi?
Massive consolidation is washing up on our shores. Let’s hope state regulators are paying attention.
February 4, 2026 · 2 min read
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Right now federal and state regulators are processing a slew of giant mergers and acquisitions across the broadband media landscape. Among them is one that impacts every county across Hawaiʻi — the Cox/Charter (dba “Spectrum”) merger.
The implications for Hawai’i will likely be harmful: poorer service, higher prices and less choice.
We know from experience that the consolidation of media ownership diminishes diversity, harms localism and reduces competition across the marketplace of ideas.
As a result, fewer local journalists are employed with expanding news deserts in the islands.
Ideas showcases stories, opinion and analysis about Hawaiʻi, from the state’s sharpest thinkers, to stretch our collective thinking about a problem or an issue. Email news@civilbeat.org to submit an idea or an essay.
Some of these issues are well illuminated in recent studies across the information ecosystem by several local organizations, including Overstory, Civil Beat and the Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs.
State policymakers have an opportunity to act with vision and protect us from the harms of further media consolidation in the islands. Unfortunately, it appears they have instead opted to let the issue pass quietly, without any opportunity for education or public input.
Rather than publicly contemplate how higher prices and poorer service can be mitigated while public interests and consumer protections are improved, state regulators are on the sidelines.
National examples prove that states and counties can address community needs and interests that are identified in formal ascertainments, making positive change actionable.
State agencies in Hawai’i (the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the Public Utilities Commission) have clear authority and responsibility to regulate the Cox/Charter transaction to ensure that local community needs are met, consumers are protected, and public interests benefit.
So why aren’t they?
Media Council Hawaiʻi is urging that the state convene an open public meeting of the Cable Advisory Committee and consider expert reviews of the Cox/Charter transaction. committee must meet in a timely manner for public information to be considered prior to state action, or inaction on the Cox/Charter “Spectrum” merger.
To minimize the harms and maximize the public benefits of media mergers and acquisitions impacting Hawaiʻi, state policymakers and regulators need to step up. If you agree this is an important issue, we encourage you to contact your elected officials and let them know.
We need our elected leaders and state regulators to do better. For more information and to get involved, contact Media Council Hawaiʻi at mediacouncilhi@gmail.com.
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