Results of the 2006 Excellence in Journalism Contest

HAWAII CHAPTER

2006 Excellence in Journalism Awards

Held June 29, 2007, at 3660 on the Rise

 

 

Daily Newspaper

D1 Business Reporting

First Place

"American Savings Bank"

Rick Daysog

The Honolulu Advertiser

Comments: "Fraud. Cover-ups. Got to love a business story like this one."

Finalist

"Fading Pineapples"

Mark Niesse

The Associated Press

Comments: "Effective examination of changing pineapple market for the state most associated with pineapple."

Finalist

"Not your dog’s kennel anymore"

Nina Wu

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Comments: "Fun stuff. Lively written."

 

D2 Spot News Reporting

First Place

"Earthquake coverage: 15 Seconds"

Staff

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Comments: "Paper does excellent job on Hawaii’s biggest earthquake."

Finalist

"It’s Going to Crash!"

The Maui News Staff

The Maui News

Comments: "Good coverage of an air ambulance crash."

Finalist

"Earthquake"

The Honolulu Advertiser Staff

The Honolulu Advertiser

Comments: "Again, good quake coverage."

 

D3 General News/Enterprise Reporting

First Place

"Accident Anniversary"

Jim Borg

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Comments: "Really riveting coverage of a traffic accident’s anniversary, good follow-up."

Finalist

"Hawaii – Gambling"

Jaymes Song

The Associated Press

Comments: "Solid reporting."

Finalist

"HECO power outage"

Rick Daysog, Rob Perez

The Honolulu Advertiser

Comments: "Judges question why only two of six reporters named on entry form. All six deserve credit in this package."

 

D4 Feature Writing/Short Form

First Place

"Ka‘imipono"

Lee Imada

The Maui News.

Comments: "A gripping story, well told."

Finalist

"What’s Next for Ed Case?"

Craig Gima

Honolulu Star Bulletin.

Comments: "A solid look at a politician on the edge."

Finalist

"A life of aloha"

Wes Nakama

The Honolulu Advertiser

Comments: "This obituary goes way beyond obituary. It’s a glowing tribute to a life."

 

D5 Feature Writing/Long Form

First Place

"My Life at Stake "

Ilima Loomis

The Maui News.

Comments: "This is an excellent story on former air ambulance crew members sharing their stories. Amazing."

Finalist

"Monumental Voyage"

Kekoa Catherine Enomoto

The Maui News.

Comments: "An 83-hour paddle trip is well documented. The writer is to be commended."

Finalist

"A win may be Wie’s wish"

Ann Miller

The Honolulu Advertiser.

Comments: "A solid look at a teen-age golf pro. Really good."

D6 News Page Design

First Place

"The First Voyage"

Mike Rovner, Dave Swann

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Comments: "Excellent use of photos and typography. The pages are striking and evocative. It cold have been busy but the pages are easy to navigate and well-balanced."

Finalist

"Time to emerge"

Brent Briggeman

The Maui News

Finalist

"2nd Dam Failure Feared"

John Bender

The Honolulu Advertiser

 

D7 Feature Page Design

First Place

"The Joy of Soy"

Michelle Ramos, Mike Rovner

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Comments: "The large central image is very eye-catching and while the colors on the page are muted, they are balanced. The hues work well to draw the eye down the page."

Finalist

"It's OK if you're not here"

Jacquelyn Carberry

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Finalist

"Fill 'er up"

Laurie Arakaki

The Honolulu Advertiser

INTERNET

I1 Online Spot News Reporting

First Place

"2006 General Election"

The Honolulu Advertiser Online Staff

The Honolulu Advertiser

Comments: "This is the way every newspaper should operate on Election Day. The winner offered photos, analysis, results and updates through the day and into the night, beyond the TV signoffs. But more than frequency, the work displayed the knowledge and professionalism of its staff."

Finalist

"Interactive Community Earthquake Coverage"

Staff

West Hawaii Today

 

I2 Online General News Reporting

First Place

"Homeless on the Waianae Coast"

The Honolulu Advertiser Online Staff

The Honolulu Advertiser

Comments: "This entry took an excellent print package into the digital age, with video interviews, slide slows, interactive maps, surveys and reader comment. The online additions provided an extra dimension to the topic that a simple print product could not reach. This is an example of why online reporting offers a more interesting, more compelling and more accessible experience for the reader."

Finalist

"Violence in Schools"

Staff

West Hawaii Today

Finalist

"Tsunami from the mountain"

Malia Zimmerman

Hawaii Reporter

MAGAZINE

M1 Business Reporting

First Place

"What's worth the most in the islands?"

Scott Radway

Hawaii Business

Comments: "Good, comprehensive look at money with interesting stories and fun graphics. The judges especially appreciate the methodology section, which shows us why we can trust the numbers."

Finalist

"Ethanol in Hawai'i"

Patricia Tummons

Environment Hawai‘i

Finalist

"Crossing the divide"

Scott Radway

Hawaii Business

 

M2 Industry or Trade Reporting

First Place

"Fasten Your Seatbelts"

Scott Radway

Hawaii Business

Comments: "This story was a good look at a trend, giving readers perspective to help them understand what’s happening in the local airline industry."

Finalist

"Bottling the Ocean"

Patricia Tummons

Environment Hawai‘i

Finalist

"Building a Boom"

David K. Choo

Hawaii Business

 

M3 Profile

First Place

"Dog Inc."

David K. Choo

Hawaii Business

Comments: "A lively look into Duane Chapman’s world that went beyond the flash of "Dog" to explain why fame doesn’t always translate immediately into wealth."

Finalist

"Peaman's Passion"

Lucy Jokiel

Island Scene Magazine

Finalist

"Night Shift"

Michael Keany, Lori Ann Tomonari, Jenny Quill, A. Kam Napier, Brandon Lee

Honolulu Magazine

 

M4 Feature Writing/Short Form

First Place

"Stepping Up without stepping on toes"

Jacy L. Youn

Hawaii Business

Comments: "The writer effectively illustrated the uniqueness of doing business in Hawaii."

Finalist

"Dream Quilts"

Lynn Cook

Hana Hou!

Finalist

"The Secret Universe of Bags"

Tom Chapman

Spirit of Aloha

 

M5 Feature Writing/Long Form

First Place

"Red Dirt and Diamonds"

Jesse Katz

Hana Hou!

Finalist

"Fruits of their labor"

Jacy L. Youn

Hawaii Business

Finalist

"Behind the Paint"

Michael Keany

Honolulu Magazine

 

M6 Page Design

First Place

"Dwarf Paper Parasols in the Streets of Waikiki: The Sweet and Sour Saga of the Mai Tai"

Darrell Ishii

Spirit of Aloha

Comments: "This piece on the history of the mai tai is as comfortable and inviting as a vintage aloha shirt. Lots of entry points attract readers."

Finalist

"The Magical, Mysterious Ocean Perspective"

Darrell Ishii

Spirit of Aloha

Finalist

"Behind the Paint"

Kristin Gonzales

Honolulu Magazine

 

M7 Magazine Cover

First Place

"Elements of Blue: What the Ocean Says"

Darrell Ishii

Spirit of Aloha

Comments: "It’s such a moody, beautiful cover. The spare text treatment enhances the photo."

Finalist

"Where I'm From: 9 Stories of Growing Up in the Islands"

A. Kam Napier, Kristin Gonzales

Honolulu Magazine

Finalist

"Chinatown Issue"

A. Kam Napier, Kristin Gonzales

Honolulu Magazine

NONDAILY NEWSPAPER

ND1 Business Reporting

First Place

"Business Gets Huggy"

Prabha Natarajan

Pacific Business News

Comments: "Talk about writing that delivers a sense of place. It’s a great look at an issue that couldn’t happen in any other job market."

Finalist

"Union wins workload break"

Kristen Consillio

Pacific Business News

 

ND2 General News/Enterprise Reporting

First Place

"Patents on life: GMOs and the battle over who owns taro"

Catharine Lo

Honolulu Weekly

Comments: "The overall topic of GMOs is timely, but a thorough look at how it affects Hawaii makes this a great package."

Finalist

"State conveyance backlog"

Prabha Natarajan

Pacific Business News

Finalist

"Naval air station survivors revisit Kaneohe Bay"

Christine J. Cabalo

Hawaii Marine, MidWeek Printing Inc.

 

ND3 Feature Writing

First Place

"Spin Zone: Inside the Dolphin Encounter Industry"

Ana Currie

Hawai‘i Island Journal

Comments: "I really liked the approach of taking an icon of the tourist industry and examining its actual impact on the creatures involved."

Finalist

"My Heroes"

Lance Tominaga

Downtown Planet

Finalist

"Game over: Did the fight to stop UARC fail?"

Chris Haire

Honolulu Weekly

 

ND4 Community Reporting

First Place

"The Future of the Ka'u Coast"

Alan D. McNarie

Hawai‘i Island Journal

Comments: "The reporting on the terrain and landscape made this a good story, but examining the people and personalities involved really elevated the package"

Finalist

"Crappy Beaches"

Lance Tominaga, Cathy S. Cruz

Downtown Planet

Finalist

"Falling Short?"

Lance Tominaga, Cathy S. Cruz

Downtown Planet

 

OPEN PRINT

P1 Column Writing/News

First Place

"Under the Sun"

Cynthia Oi

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Comments: "All good reads."

Finalist

"Media watch"

Chris Haire

Honolulu Weekly

Comments: "This is a column with a reason for existence."

 

P2 Column Writing/Features or Sports

First Place (tie)

"Honolulu Lite"

Charles Memminger

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Comments: "Funny, bright column."

First Place (tie)

"Afterthoughts"

Kathryn Drury Wagner

Honolulu Magazine

Comments: "A pleasure to read. Informative as well as entertaining."

Finalist

"Press Box"

Cindy Luis

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Comments: "Press Box column offers good sports perspectives."

Finalist:

"Lee Cataluna"

The Honolulu Advertiser

Lee Cataluna

 

P3 Government Reporting

First Place

"An Inside Look at Local Lobbying"

Jacy L. Youn

Hawaii Business

Comments: "Fascinating look at a political scene that's beneath the radar for most voters."

Finalist

"Case vs. Akaka"

Richard Borreca, Crystal Kua, Craig Gima, Debra Barayuga

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Finalist

"Justice on Hold"

Ken Kobayashi, Jim Dooley

The Honolulu Advertiser

 

P4 Breaking News Reporting

First Place

"Kaloko Dam flooding"

The Honolulu Advertiser staff

The Honolulu Advertiser

Comments: "Gripping coverage of a disaster of obvious community interest."

Finalist:

"Aftershocks Rattle Hawaii After Quake"

Jaymes Song

The Associated Press

Finalist

"Fatal Fall Into Ala Wai Canal"

Rod Antone

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

 

P5 Health Reporting

First Place

"The Joy of Poi"

Benton Sen

Spirit of Aloha

Comments: "Often, first person writing is a drawback. But not in this case. Wonderful stuff."

Finalist:

"Kava Comeback"

Audrey McAvoy

The Associated Press

Comments: "Nice piece on possible ill effects of a local drink."

Finalist:

"Fittest CEO"

Scott Radway, David K. Choo

Hawaii Business

Comments: "Very useful coverage."

 

P6 Sports Reporting

First Place

"Colt Brennan"

Stephen Tsai

The Honolulu Advertiser

Comments: "Good narrative. A revealing look at life off the field for a college football star trying to escape demons of his past. You feel his desperation to wipe slate clean. Informative, thorough and entertaining."

Finalist

"The Great Wet Hunter"

Rufus Kimura

Hana Hou!

Finalist

"Hang 20"

Julia Steele

Hana Hou!

 

P7 Arts and Entertainment

First Place

"Redemption Songs"

Liza Simon

Hana Hou!

Comments: "Really great story about one of the islands’ hottest musical acts."

Finalist

"Dwarf Paper Parasols in the Streets of Waikiki: The Sweet and Sour Saga of the Mai Tai"

Tom Chapman

Spirit of Aloha

Comments: "A wonderful tribute to a sweet and sour saga."

Finalist

"The Iconoclast"

Liza Simon

Hana Hou!

Comments: "Nice narrative that paints a compelling portrait of not only a person, but of a chapter in hula history."

 

P8 Editorial Opinion

First Place

"What’s bad for the goose, is bad for the Council member"

Cynthia Oi

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Comments: "Cleanly written, to the point."

"Takes a true stand."

Finalist:

"Use It or Lose It"

Kathryn Drury Wagner

Honolulu Magazine

Comments: "Nice narrative style."

"Takes a broad topic and brings it home."

Finalist:

"Double Bind"

A. Kam Napier

Honolulu Magazine

 

P9 Editorial Cartoon

First Place

"Sorry, Don, But You're Fired"

Corky Trinidad

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Comments: The artist finds an evocative and challenging way to make a slightly unusual case: that the departing Don Rumsfeld has been the sole puppet-master of Bush’s Iraq policy. Rumsfeld’s casual slump as he leaves the Bush administration behind is almost as painful here as Bush’s empty saucer eyes. The Bush-puppet tumble of limbs, his slack jaw and his theatrical blush pull the collective memory of marionettes from the back of our heads."

Finalist

"Antiques Roadshow"

John S. Pritchett

Honolulu Weekly

Finalist

"Elevator Shoes"

Corky Trinidad

Star-Bulletin

 

P10 Illustration

First Place

"The Man Who Loved Creme Baths and Other Lurid Tales of Spa Life"

Garry Ono

Spirit of Aloha

Comments: "We loved this lush drawing and the way the artist used lights. In a very strong field, this one stood out."

Finalist

"Rainbow Season Preview"

Bryant Fukutomi

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Finalist

"Dancing with the Devils"

Kip Aoki

Honoluu Star-Bulletin

 

P11 Informational Graphic

First Place

"March Madness – 43 Days: Downpours, Death, Destruction"

Dave Swann

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Comments: "We liked the visual impact of this graphic and think it did a good job of telling the story quickly and clearly.

Finalist

"A Naturally Cool House"

Greg Taylor

The Honolulu Advertiser

Finalist

"Watching UH football practice"

Martha P. Hernandez

The Honolulu Advertiser

 

P12 News Photography

First Place

"Soaked"

Dennis Oda

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Comments: "Great play on a photo that tells the story. You can feel the water and the misery."

Finalist

"Marines Head into Harm's Way"

Joaquin Siopack

The Honolulu Advertiser

Finalist

"Fire Strikes UH Lab School"

Jamm Aquino

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

 

P13 Feature Photography

First Place

"a girl's life"

Matthew Thayer

The Maui News

Comments: "The playfulness of this portrait caught our attention. Photo takes author and viewer back to her childhood."

Finalist

"Yearning"

Jeff Widener

The Honolulu Advertiser

Yearning

Finalist

"A Prairie Home Competition"

Dennis Oda

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

 

P14 Sports Photography

First Place

"Makawao Rodeo"

Matthew Thayer

The Maui News

Comments: "Timing of the photo captured the zenith of the action. Spectators’ faces added to the drama."

Finalist

"Flip into the End Zone"

Richard Walker

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Finalist

"Rainbows sweep"

Andrew Shimabuku

The Honolulu Advertiser

 

P15 Photo Essay

First Place

"Homeless on the Waianae Coast"

Jeff Widener

The Honolulu Advertiser

Comments: "An interesting and different look on a common theme: homeless. Intimate images demonstrate the trust gained by the photographer."

Finalist

"Soaked"

Dennis Oda, George F. Lee, Craig Kojima, FL Morris, Leila Fujimori

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Finalist

"Friday Night Lights"

Cindy Ellen Russell

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

 

P16 Investigative Reporting

First Place

"Tripler Army Medical Center"

Rob Perez

The Honolulu Advertiser

Comments: "A compelling account of how Army officers and their families became victims after they relied on Tripler for basic care. The series was made all the more interesting by the fact it came out before the problems of Walter Reed became national news."

Finalist

"Air Ambulance"

Ilima Loomis

The Maui News

Finalist

"Tsunami from the Mountain"

Malia Zimmerman

Hawaii Reporter

 

P17 Public Service Reporting

First Place

"Homeless on the Waianae Coast"

Will Hoover, Rob Perez, Jeff Widener

The Honolulu Advertiser

Comments: "A thoughtful, comprehensive look at homelessness that really lets the subjects tell their stories in their own voices. It also exposed the root of the problem – skyrocketing rents – in such a straightforward way that it allowed readers to see how a family can go from a rental house to a tent on the beach at the whim of a landlord who wants to cash in."

Finalist

"Air Ambulance"

Ilima Loomis

The Maui News

Finalist

"Listen to the Rain – Special Section"

Staff

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

RADIO

R1 General News/Enterprise Reporting

First Place

"Korean Wave Washes over USA"

Heidi Chang, Faith Lapidus

Voice of America

Comments: "Nice news/issue treatment of a feature-type topic. Enjoyed the analysis of the issues addressed in the dramas and the cultural and sociological implications of what we see in them."

R2 Feature Reporting

First Place

"Justice for Native Hawaiians"

Chad Blair

Hawaii Public Radio

Comments: "In-depth, incisive and balanced. Nice restraint in dealing with heated subject matter. Well-sourced, though it seems to jump around a bit much. I especially enjoyed Week 6 with its look forward and summing up."

Finalist

"Time Travel: The Ewa Sinkholes"

Noe Tanigawa

Hawaii Public Radio

STUDENT

S1 News Writing

First Place

"Student uses Web to expose undercover agents"

Alyssa S. Navarres

Ka Leo O Hawai'i

Comments: "Navares wrote a thought-provoking article about an obscure Web site. She also managed to interview Christopher Yeung when others couldn’t."

Finalist

"Big Island teacher ‘exhausted’ from nightmare in Lebanon"

Brittany P. Yap

The Honolulu Advertiser

 

S2 Feature Writing

First Place

"The Game"

Diane S.W. Lee

Kapi‘o Newspress

Comments: "Lee did an excellent job of conveying Gordon Pang’s emotions in this article. She also did a great job of using the quotes she obtained."

 

S3 Broadcast Reporting

First Place

"Surviving Breast Cancer"

Tina Ng

UH Today

Comments: "Clever writing, good sound and editing, camera angles keep attention. Clear, distinct voice."

TELEVISION

T1 Government Reporting

First Place

"Kahaluu Park problems"

Keoki Kerr

KITV

Comments: "Keoki’s work brought to light a multimillion-dollar boondoggle in his coverage of the botched Kahaluu Park. He explained how it happened and helped viewers understand why they should care."

Finalist

"City slacker"

Stacy Loe

KGMB-TV

Finalist

"WASPS"

Beth Hillyer, Duncan Armstrong

KHNL-TV

 

T2 Business Reporting

First Place

"Business bridge with China"

Pamela Young

KITV

Comments: "Pamela showed her viewers how long-standing ties to China’s once impoverished southern provinces is creating new opportunities – both in Hawaii and the Chinese mainland as that nation’s economic boom continues. A fine piece of explanatory journalism.

Finalist

"Flower Biz"

Pamela Young

KITV

 

T3 General News/Enterprise Reporting

First Place

"Pali Tunnel Mudslide"

Ron Mizutani, Greg Lau

KHON2

Comments: "Ron’s story on the Pali Tunnel Mudslide is spot/breaking news at its best. He was on the scene, guiding views through the events, but he never got in the way of the story. He let it be told by those who lived it, and in doing so let viewers live it too."

Finalist

"Pae Pae 'O He'eia"

Gary Sprinkle

KITV

Finalist

"Lucky"

Beth Hillyer, Tim McRobert, Keith Jones

KHNL-TV

 

T4 Feature Reporting

First Place

"Mixed Plate"

Pamela Young

KITV

Comments: A beautifully shot and lovingly reported feature on an area that by definition went to the ends of the Earth; to Shangri-La, or at least to the place that considers itself the fabled paradise on Earth. This piece does what TV does best – it takes you to places you thought you could only imagine."

Finalist

"Whale Watch"

Gary Sprinkle

KITV

Finalist

"Saddle mates – The Next Generation"

Stephanie Lum, Duncan Armstrong

KHNL-TV

 

T5 Investigative Reporting

First Place

"City Supervisor Busted"

Stacy Loe

KGMB-TV

Comments: "Stacy Loe did a lot of legwork investigating complaints against a waste supervisor, and it shows. Her stories were well documented, balanced and made clear why viewers should care. She resisted the temptation for an ambush interview of the supervisor, which actually gave the package greater credibility."

Finalist

"Firefighter Drug Conviction"

Keoki Kerr

KITV

 

T6 Series Reporting

First Place

"Whale Science"

Gary Sprinkle

KITV

Comments: "Gary took viewers beneath the surface in the whale-watching Mecca off Maui, helping them understand the science taking place, and opening their eyes to awe-inspiring images of these fantastic creatures."

Finalist

"Conquering Obesity"

Marisa Yamane

KHON2 News

Comments: "Very touch choice. Marisa’s series on obesity was very strong and well thought out. Its only flaw was that it leaned a little much on bariatric surgery success stories."

Finalist

"March Floods"

Ron Mizutani, Greg Lau

KHON2

 

T7 Videography

First Place

"Speed Patrol"

Kenneth Chong

KITV

Comments: "Kenneth makes great use of available light and varied camera angles to give a police officer’s view of Oahu’s speeding problem. This use of interspersed still images and detail shots were creative an engaging. Some of his edits, especially toward the end, were too choppy to be effective (They were a bit jarring and distracting.), but the package as a whole holds up very well."

Finalist

"Unrated DVDs"

Kenneth Chong

KITV

 

T8 Documentary

First Place

"The Search for Shangrila"

Rex von Arnswaldt, Pamela Young

KITV

Comments: " ‘The Search for Shangrila’ " is a wonderfully shot and edited travelogue. Pamela and Rex explore the many facets of daily life and ordinary people, giving viewers a greater understanding of what makes China, China. They never actually get to Shagrila, of course, but it hardly matters. The journey is the destination."

 

T9 Special News Program

First Place

"Campaign 2006 – Race for Congress: District Two"

KGMB9

KGMB9

Comments: "In a very difficult-to-judge category, KGMB’s live candidates forum stood out for the level of public service offered to its viewers. The 90-minute program helped voters get a better sense of the choice available to them Election Day."

Finalist

"Mission of Aloha"

Diane Ako, Tim McRobert

KHNL-TV

Finalist

"Ahead of the storm"

Kolby Akamu, Guy Hagi, Jeff Booth

KGMB9

 

T10 Public Service Reporting

First Place

"Autism in the family"

Darren Pai, Darin Akita

KHNL-TV

Comments: "Darren & Darin gave viewers a good introduction to autism, telling the stories of families whose lives were touched by the condition. I hope KHNL continues to explore this emerging issue in the months to come. There’s a lot more story to tell."

Finalist

"Chinatown Summit Special: Revitalizing Honolulu’s Chinatown"

Heidi Chang, Lisa Dowd

Honolulu Municipal Television

Hawaii SPJ