The captain’s stepping down.
Tom Hasslinger, the classiest, coolest editor of any flagship newspaper I ever knew is handing off the helm and walkin’ to the next port of his life, moving on. God bless him.
Editor Tom is leaving West Hawaii Today, and with a grand huzza we cheer him as he goes!
This here’s a tribute written by an unworthy scribe such as myself, unworthy put up next to a word man like Tom.
I’m sure the town, the island, fellow editors, newspapers and news guys from here to Kauai will lift a toast to him, editor of our paper. And all say, “Ah shoots, why is he leaving?”
As befitting any grand character in our humble play here, there will be accolades and compliments given to him. These are my few gold coins of praise tossed onto the pile.
Starting with the first day meeting him.
Three years ago I walked into the West Hawaii Today office with a story in pidgin, I thought the paper might like to print it.
I was ushered into the editor’s office and sitting across from Tom, I thought he was a bit young to be the editor, but his character is more than his age.
He asked me, “How would you like to write a column for the paper?” My jaw dropped, celestial music played above, and in a trance I babbled, “yabbada yabbada, OK, I’ll do it.”
The rest is history. Oh, shut up about me.
As we were walking through the newspaper office an older reporter said to Tom, “Hello, sir.” Young as he is, he was “sir,” he commands respect.
Right off, I must say Tom is one of those perfect writing machines. A real English major. I know because I’m an English major. Tom is a writing machine. He could correct and smooth out anything written. He must have done the homework in his writing classes, all the homework.
Tom’s unique legacy is his clever and bold headlines, always snappy, great puns, and daring. One or two headlines were close to the edge, but always done with class and an eye to our proper island population. The paper reflected the town perfectly, and fit like a foot in a slipper. He did it naturally.
He has great writers to work with, I mean the reporters here. He balanced their stories in the paper just right, making the perfect mix.
I think the telling of his good attitude was when he said he would not print and make famous all the lowlifes who shoot up schools and office buildings. He stuck to that rule.
If he did print anything on the subject it was always hidden on the inside pages somewhere.
The writers will miss him, as well as the whole staff. I’m with the other columnists, shocked and disappointed but wish him good luck. The next editor, Chelsea Jensen, will be great when she takes the helm next Wednesday, I’m sure.
What reveals a person’s character and strength is how much he forgives, and he forgave my blunders in writing many times, always cool. Always guiding. Thank you.
We’ll miss you, man. Thanks for giving our town and island some class, I’m sure you’ll bring your unique talents and heart to you next venture. Aloha, Tom.
Thanks to Tom Hasslinger, Dennis Gregory writes a bimonthly column for West Hawaii Today. He welcomes your comments at makewavess@yahoo.com
