In the next week or two, The Honolulu Advertiser will be run by a management company, which will then turn the business over to a new owner, the company that now operates the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and MidWeek. If the Star-Bulletin is not sold to another buyer, the Advertiser and Star-Bulletin will be merged in a month or two and many people are expected to lose their jobs.

In columns over the past several years, I've tried to explain what we do here and what makes the staff so special. I've singled out certain reporters, editors, designers, artists, photographers and online employees who have done The Advertiser proud but as I soon get set to leave the newspaper, I wanted to personally recognize our news staff. They have made The Advertiser what it is and I wish them the best in the next chapter of their lives.

It is my hope that the new owner will hire as many as possible so they can continue their careers and preserve the quality of journalism that readers have come to expect each day.

You'll recognize many of these names, some of whom have worked here for years and all of whom have made The Advertiser the top news source in Hawai'i. Others work behind the scenes but are just as instrumental in maintaining the excellence we strive for each day. In alphabetical order, here is the news and information staff:

Wanda Adams, Eloise Aguiar, Rich Ambo, Laurie Arakaki, Bart Asato, Bruce Asato, John Bender, Stacy Berry, Deb Booker, Rebecca Breyer, David Butts, Zenaida Cadaoas, Paul Carvalho, Lee Cataluna, Tracy Chan, Kathy Chang, William Cole, Joe Corpuz, Richard Couch, Linda Dalrymple and Rick Daysog.

Randy Dela Cruz, Derrick DePledge, Robbie Dingeman, Dave Dondoneau, Jim Dooley, Celia Downes, Stephen Downes, Mark Doyle, Karen Fassler, Randy Fujimori, Elroy Garcia, Nick Gervais, Pat Glaser, Andrew Gomes, James Gonser, Mike Gordon, Shauna Goya, Joe Guinto and Sean Hao.

Kawehi Haug, Martha Hernandez, Stacy Hernandez, Will Hoover, Elizabeth House, Darrell Ishida, Davin Iyamatsu, Derek Kalani, Stacy Kaneshiro, Jason Kasamoto, Sarah Kawachi, Leslie Kawamoto, Tiera Kekaula, Jim Kelly, Elizabeth Kieszkowski, Steve Kimura, Seryna Ko, Dave Koga and Paul Kuromoto.

Vic Lankas, Stanley Lee, Diana Leone, Ferd Lewis, Curtis Lum, Brandon Masuoka, Leah Mayo, Minette McCabe, Russell McCrory, Marsha McFadden, Ann Miller, Mark Milligan, John Miyakado, Clyde Mizumoto, Sarah Montgomery, Loren Moreno, Scott Morifuji, Dayton Morinaga, Curtis Murayama and Ernie Murphy.

Wes Nakama, Dan Nakaso, Christopher Neil, Esme Nii, Scott Nishi, Kent Nishimura, Helen North, Maureen O'Connell, Chris Oliver, Dennis Olkowski, Jon Orque, Sandee Oshiro, Gordon Pang, Simplicio Pargas, Jay Parco, Rob Perez, Stan Pusieski, David Putnam, Paula Rath, Jim Richardson, Mary Kaye Ritz and Don Robbins.

Sonnie Rodrigues, Suzanne Roig, Kyle Sakamoto, Matt Schick, Lisa Scontras, Diane Seo, Zenaida Serrano, Norm Shapiro, Andrew Shimabuku, Wade Shirkey, Christine Strobel, Kalani Takase, Brian Takemura, Michael Tsai, Stephen Tsai, Tony Verceluz, Vicki Viotti, Mary Vorsino, Leila Wai, David Waite, Greg Wiles, Christie Williams, Christie Wilson, John Windrow, Dan Woods, June Yago, David Yamada, Andy Yamaguchi, Greg Yamamoto and Alan Yonan.