Maui reporters share stories with students, peers
Staff Writer & Editor
During the SPJ Journalism conference on Oahu, journalists shared the tragedy and stories of the Lahaina fires and the trauma caused due to reporting disasters. Chelsea Davis, a television reporter for Hawaii News Now and Marina Riker, a former journalist, shared advice to young journalists on reporting live natural disasters, while caring for yourself and how to build trust with your interviewees.
Both the journalists are from Maui and had a close connection to the people and the effect of the fires. Davis said “I think I'll be covering this story to the day I'll die,” showing her commitment to her home and island family. When telling another person’s story, it must be told through their eyes, she added.
In many circumstances, reporters find it difficult to show the world-–on an international level– that they should care. Resulting from that, locals draw back from sharing their stories because the world seems to not be listening, said Davis. She recalled Kekoa Lanceford, a Lahaina local saying “I feel like nobody’s listening.”
After her recent leave of the Journalism industry, Riker shares her thoughts on therapy and encourages young reporters to start therapy as well. “I am in therapy, I think we should all be in therapy. I would highly recommend, especially when going into the industry, you’re going to see and experience stressful stuff and make sure you give your nervous system a rest.” Riker stated.
New reports and stories on the Lahaina fires will continue for years as new information is released and discovered.