This reconfiguration was supposed to increase or keep the same leg room, compared to the other configuration, so I'm not sure where the StarAdvertiser is getting their information. Yes it added up to 10 seats on some of the planes, most only saw an increase of 1 row, or 5 seats. When you remove lavatories and closets up front and install thinner, but not necessarily more uncomfortable seats, you create more real estate for the additional seats. Nice opening sentence that instantly misleads the reader. The seats don't recline, because they're designed in a recline position to begin with!
I'll withhold judgment until I try them, but "not necessarily more uncomfortable" doesn't exactly inspire confidence. And pitch on some of those planes was pretty bad already. I don't have long legs, but one of the existing configurations is tight enough that even a slight recline of the seat in front puts it into my knees and makes even a Hilo flight pretty miserable.