Working on her master's degree in Tampa Bay, Fla., Hosea fends off the homesick blues by logging on to the Advertiser's Web site to view the online photo gallery and read the news stories.

"It reminds me of how lucky I am to have been raised in the most beautiful place on earth," she said in an e-mail to the paper's online staff. "Mahalo nui for allowing me to get a touch of Hawai'i every day."

Messages such as Hosea's, and the 650,000 unique visitors who visit the site on average each month, are proof that the site provides a needed service, linking Hawai'i to residents and residents-at-heart.

HonoluluAdvertiser.com was launched Oct. 3, 1999, to provide daily news and information from the Advertiser newsroom and national wire services that include the Associated Press.

"The goal was to reach as many people as we could," said Chris Kanemura, the online content manager responsible for the site's operation. "This new medium has changed the world and changed the way information is delivered. And our mission was to provide information and news about Hawai'i to the world."

Each day, the 10-person online staff posts almost all of the local stories, photos and graphics produced by The Advertiser newsroom. Anywhere from 60 to 100 stories and photos are processed by the online staff each day, said Kanemura.

Some of the articles are enhanced with links to related stories, sound or audio clips, message boards and other interactive features. The staff also creates ads for advertisers and sponsors, taking advantage of the Web's multimedia capabilities.

Depending on the time of their visit, readers can see a 360-degree shot of the Honolulu City Lights holiday display or participate in an online chat with University of Hawai'i athletes.

Readers also can post their opinions on message boards or send a dedication to a U.S. soldier fighting in Iraq. They can sign up for breaking news alerts, check on local movie showtimes, get updated weather and surf reports, and track mortgage rates.

All of this work, delivered with a commitment to quality and timeliness, has drawn attention: The online staff has won several state and national awards.

One of the most satisfying recognitions for the site came in a recent survey by media tracking firm Scarborough Research, which rated HonoluluAdvertiser.com as Hawai'i's top news site.

The online staff will be a key part of this year's election coverage. As in past political seasons, voters can study up on the candidates using the site's online Voter Guide. A search engine will allow voters to search for candidates by race, district and name.

On both primary and general election nights, readers can log on to HonoluluAdvertiser.com for quick results in all local races.

Advertiser reporters and photographers have adapted to the task of providing stories and pictures for online as well as print.

Kanemura said the Web site is now an integral part of the information service The Advertiser offers.

"It is a good service we provide along with a good newspaper," he said.

Both provide different options and conveniences for readers. Advertisers also can choose the platform — digital or print — for delivery of their message.