Letter From The Editor

Since Metro launched last fall, I will admit that it hasn’t always been easy — but that doesn’t really matter, because it has always been fun. As a staff, we’ve enjoyed bringing you stories about new eats, innovative businesses, and the people and events that make up our city.

So we were surprised and thrilled and humbled (in that order) when it was announced that we placed second in the Non-daily Newspaper Excellence category at this year’s Hawaii Publishers Association awards.

We have a talented, dedicated staff, and we also owe a huge part of any success we’ve had to our wonderful columnists.

And I’m sad to say that this week, we’re saying goodbye to one of them — Barkeep writer Sammi Baum. Each week, Sammi has given us the scoop on new drinks, shared her own alcoholic concoctions and a look into her personal nightlife pursuits. Plus, she’s got a great sense of humor. (As she wrote in a goodbye email to me: “I’ve grown as a writer (and drinker).”) Well, Sammi, we have grown as a publication thanks to you. Best of luck with your next endeavor.

Check out Sammi’s last column on Page 16, in which she shares the countdown of her top five drinks on the island.