What a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscription includes

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser is Hawaii's largest newspaper. A subscription gives you access to news, sports, business coverage, and classifieds focused on Oahu and the broader Hawaiian islands. The paper publishes seven days a week.

Subscriptions come in two main forms: print delivery to your home, or digital access through their website and mobile app. Many readers choose a combination of both. Print editions arrive in the morning, and the digital version updates throughout the day.

The paper covers local government, education, real estate, and community events. If you live in Honolulu or nearby areas and want daily local news, a subscription means you don't have to piece together information from multiple sources or wait for news to appear on social media.

Key Takeaways

  • Print subscriptions deliver the newspaper to your home seven days a week, with pricing that varies based on how many days per week you want delivery.
  • Digital subscriptions give you access to the website and mobile app, usually at a lower cost than print but without the physical paper.
  • You can pause or modify your subscription through your online account rather than calling customer service for most changes.
  • The Star-Advertiser offers introductory rates for new subscribers, typically lower than the standard renewal price.
  • Delivery areas are limited to Oahu and some neighboring islands; mainland delivery is not available.

Print subscription options and pricing

Print subscriptions let you choose how many days per week you want the paper delivered. Seven-day delivery (Monday through Sunday) costs more than a weekday-only option (Monday through Friday). Weekend-only is also available. Pricing changes periodically and varies based on current promotions, so the best way to see current rates is to visit the Star-Advertiser's subscription page directly or call their customer service line.

Print delivery is available on Oahu and some neighboring islands. If you live in areas like Kailua, Kaneohe, or the Windward side, delivery may still reach you, but service areas have limits. When you start the subscription process, the system will tell you whether your address qualifies for delivery.

New subscribers often receive an introductory rate for the first few weeks or months. After that period ends, your rate moves to the standard renewal price, which is higher. The Star-Advertiser will notify you before the rate change takes effect.

Digital subscription options

A digital subscription gives you access to StarAdvertiser.com and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser mobile app on phones and tablets. You can read articles, search the archive, and receive notifications for breaking news. Digital subscriptions cost less than print and work anywhere you have internet access, not just in Hawaii.

Digital access is immediate once your subscription is confirmed. You create an online account, and your login works across the website and app. If you already have a free account on the Star-Advertiser site, you can upgrade it to a paid subscription without creating a new one.

Some articles are available free to all readers, while others require a subscription. The paywall limits how many free articles you can read per month before you hit a barrier. A digital subscription removes that limit.

How to start a subscription

Go to StarAdvertiser.com and look for the subscription or "Subscribe" button, usually at the top of the page. You will be taken to a page showing current subscription options and pricing. Choose print, digital, or a combination package.

Enter your delivery address (for print) or email address (for digital). The system will confirm whether your address qualifies for print delivery. Then provide payment information—the Star-Advertiser accepts credit cards and debit cards. Your subscription begins on the date you complete the purchase.

You will receive a confirmation email with your account details and login information. Save this email. If you choose print, your first delivery typically arrives within a few business days, depending on your address and the day you subscribe.

Managing your subscription online

Once you have an active subscription, log into your account on StarAdvertiser.com to make changes. You can pause delivery for a week or two if you are traveling, skip individual days, or modify which days you receive the paper. These changes usually take effect within one business day.

You can also upgrade from digital-only to a print-and-digital package, or downgrade from seven-day to weekday-only delivery. Your billing adjusts automatically based on the change. If you need to cancel, you can do that through your account as well, though the Star-Advertiser may offer you a retention offer before the cancellation is final.

If you forget your password or have trouble logging in, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. The Star-Advertiser will send you a reset link by email. If you cannot access the email associated with your account, you will need to contact customer service by phone.

Delivery and technical issues

Print delivery is scheduled for early morning, typically between 5 and 7 a.m. If your paper does not arrive by mid-morning, contact customer service to report it. They can redeliver the same day or credit your account for the missed edition. Delivery can be delayed during severe weather or holidays.

For digital access, make sure you are using a supported browser and that your device has adequate storage space for the app. If articles are not loading or you cannot log in, try clearing your browser cache or reinstalling the app. If the problem persists, customer service can troubleshoot your account.

The Star-Advertiser's customer service phone line is available during business hours. You can also reach them through the website's contact form, though email responses may take longer than a phone call.

What happens when your subscription renews

Subscriptions renew automatically on the date your payment period ends. Your credit card or debit card is charged the renewal rate, which is typically higher than the introductory rate you received as a new subscriber. The Star-Advertiser sends you a notice before the renewal date so you know what to expect.

If you want to avoid the renewal charge, you must cancel before the renewal date. If you cancel after the charge posts, you can request a refund within a certain window, usually a few days. Contact customer service with your request and the date of the charge.

If your payment method expires or fails, the Star-Advertiser will attempt to charge an updated card on file. If no valid payment method is available, your subscription will be suspended until you update your billing information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a print subscription if I live on the mainland?

No, print delivery is limited to Oahu and some neighboring islands. If you live on the mainland, you can purchase a digital subscription to read the Star-Advertiser online. Digital subscriptions work anywhere with internet access.

What is the difference between the free articles and a paid subscription?

The Star-Advertiser allows readers to view a limited number of free articles per month. Once you reach that limit, you see a paywall. A digital subscription removes the article limit and gives you full access to all content on the website and app.

Can I pause my subscription if I am traveling?

Yes. Log into your account and use the pause or skip feature to stop delivery for specific dates or weeks. You can resume delivery whenever you are ready. Pausing is free and does not shorten your subscription period.

How do I change my delivery days from seven days to weekdays only?

Log into your account on StarAdvertiser.com, go to your subscription settings, and select the days you want to receive the paper. Your billing will adjust automatically based on the new delivery schedule. The change usually takes effect within one business day.

What should I do if my paper does not arrive?

Contact customer service by phone or through your online account to report the missed delivery. They will redeliver the same edition or credit your account. Delivery delays can happen during bad weather or holidays, but consistent missed deliveries should be reported so the carrier can be contacted.