Recognizing the growth of weekly newspapers and magazines throughout the state, the SPJ-Hawaii Chapter's Excellence in Journalism Awards contest revised its rules to include separate divisions for daily newspapers, nondaily newspapers and magazines. New print and television categories were added to the 2000 contest, including sports column writing, arts/entertainment writing, feature and news videography, and best newscast. Daily newspapers, nondailies and magazines will compete in their own divisions in the news, business, government, feature writing and page design categories. An "Open Print" division allows all three print division to compete together in such categories as column writing, photography, investigative reporting and public service reporting. There are 13 television categories, including government, spot news, feature, general news/enterprise and series reporting, special news program, investigative reporting and public service reporting. The new "Newscast" category requires TV stations submit the unedited newscast airing Dec. 16, 1999. There are six categories in the radio division. The SPJ-Hawaii Excellence in Journalism Awards recognize work broadcast or published in Hawaii from Jan. 1, 1999, to Dec. 31, 1999. The entry fees remain $15 for SPJ members and $20 for nonmembers. The deadline to enter is Feb. 29. Entries should be delivered to Lynette Lo Tom Communications Inc., 1001 Bishop St., Pacific Tower, Suite 976, Honolulu 96813. Winners will be announced at a dinner June 17. Proceeds go to the internship program. Contest brochures are available by contacting Stirling Morita at the Star-Bulletin. Inquiries about contest rules should be directed to Christie Wilson, telephone 242-6343 (Maui) or e-mail editor@mauinews.com.
In December, the editors and news directors of Honolulu's media shared how they covered the killing of seven people at the Xerox Corp. From left, Dave Shapiro, managing editor of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin; Wally Zimmerman, news director of KITV; Jim Kelly, managing editor of the Honolulu Advertiser; Jim McCoy, news director of KHON; and Chuck Parker, news director of KHNL. Moderating is Tom Brislin, chairman of the department of journalism, University of Hawaii.
SPJ director Garett Kamemoto of KGMB simply asked a question about a Cayetano administration bill that shuts off access to some types of records. It triggered a pullback of the bill. Kamemoto said House Bill 2420 and companion Senate Bill 2761 are no longer supported by the Cayetano administration and the governor has ordered the attorney general to "withdraw" the measure. Kamemoto said that while the bill cannot be withdrawn, it will now die quietly. The attorney general is making it clear to all lawmakers the governor does not want the bill. The bill would have allowed documents to be withheld if the agency being asked to produce them did not originate the document, he said. This came up in a Cabinet meeting. Department heads told the governor they don't believe there is a problem that needs to be addressed at this time, Kamemoto said. The attorney general had a concern that cheapskate lawyers are using a loophole in the law to save money at the state's expense. They are asking for copies of transcripts that normally cost $1.50 or $2.50 a page from court reporters. But under the Sunshine Law, they get it from the AG for copying costs. The AG charges something like 5 cents per page. House Bill 2420 does a lot; it cuts off some or all access of the public to the following: -- Minutes of executive sessions. -- Loan programs -- Consultant contracts. -- Transcripts -- Pardons State Sen. Les Ihara is sponsoring a measure that let the voters decide whether to create in the state Constitution a right to access of government. Senate Bill 2728 says government access should be open "to the greatest extent possible. Government rules only with the consent of the people, and so the people's interest in the system it supports should be paramount." The House Public Safety Committee has passed a bill that makes it a criminal offense to use personal information about a law enforcement officer on the Internet to threaten, harass or annoy the officer. The measure makes such a crime a Class B felony. House Bill 2132 is vague and could subject a lot of people to prosecution if an officer felt criticism about him or the department harassed or annoyed him or her.
Meet student and professional colleagues and enjoy the dry, desert air when journalists from nine Western states meet in Las Vegas for "Super-Regional 2000," March 31-April 2. "SuperRegional 2000" is a joint Region X/XI conference taking place at the Orleans Hotel & Casino. Registration fees for those registering on or before March 1 are: SPJ pro members, $75; nonmembers, $85; groups of three or more pros sending in registration forms and fees in same envelope, only $65 each; students (members and nonmembers), $50. Those registering after March 1 or walk-in attendees will pay: Pros (members and nonmembers) $95. Send registration fees to: Paul McAfee, c/o The Business Press, 3700 Inland Empire Blvd., Suite 450, Ontario, CA 91764. (Make check out to "Society of Professional Journalists Region Eleven," spelling out eleven.) Eight workshops include: "What does it takes to move into management?" "Journalists in Transitions - Dealing with newspaper mergers and closings," Covering gaming." For reservations, call (800) 675-3267. Attendees should say they are attending the "SPJ Region 11 meeting." The rate is $89 per night, single/double occupancy. No Saturday arrivals.
Finding it difficult to fit that annual SPJ dues payment into your budget? Now you can pay in installments, and, if you sign up for additional years, it's even cheaper. For professional members, four payment options are available: a single $70 payment for one year's dues; two $35 payments for one year; four payments of $31.25 for two years' dues; or four payments of $43.75 for three years' dues. The Hawaii Pro Chapter dues of $10 annually is extra. Similar arrangements are available for retired, student, post-graduate, associate and high school associate members. Credit card payment is accepted. For more information or an application form, contact SPJ Headquarters, 16 S. Jackson St. Greencastle, IN 46135-1514; telephone (765) 653-3333; fax (765) 653-4631; or e-mail spj@spjhq.org.
Media law attorney Jeff Portnoy will talk about the news media in the chapter's annual dinner at Alan T's in the Honolulu Club, King Street and Ward Avenue. Portnoy's presentation is: "The Legal State of the News Media in Hawaii: An Interactive Dialogue." Not only will you find out about the latest in FOI developments, but you'll get a great buffet too -- for $25 (members). If you're not a member, it will cost $28; for students $22. No-host cocktails will be from 6 to 7 p.m. The buffet will start at 7 p.m., and the program will be at 7:30 p.m. Because the opera will be at the Blaisdell that night, the Honolulu Club is asking people to park at Straub Hospital, across the street, because its lot will be full. Parking tickets for Straub will be validated. To make reservations Call: Lynette Lo Tom Communications Inc. Phone: 524-6441 Fax: 524-8115. E-mail: LLTC@aloha.com Mail: P.O. Box 3141 Honolulu, HI 96802 No shows will be billed.
The 1999 SPJ-Hawaii Chapter board of directors was elected to lead the organization again in 2000. Board members are: president, Christie Wilson, The Maui News; vice president, Bruce Dunford, Associated Press; secretary, Donalyn Dela Cruz, KHON; treasurer, Craig DeSilva, free-lance radio journalist; past president, Daryl Huff, KITV; and directors Stirling Morita, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Andy Yamaguchi, Honolulu Advertiser; Garett Kamemoto, KGMB, and Paula Bender, free-lance journalist. Volunteers are needed to assist the board in planning and carrying out SPJ programs. For instance, help is needed in coordinating timely "brown-bag" programs that address issues affecting journalists as they arise, putting on the 2000 Excellence in Journalism Awards dinner, publishing the chapter newsletter, organizing programs for college and high school journalists, advocating for a free press and open government.
On Oct. 5, 1999, the SPJ-Hawaii Chapter received an award for outstanding achievement as a Society of Professional Journalists chapter in 1998. The award was handed out at the 1999 National Convention in Indianapolis. The SPJ executive director presented the award stating, "Effective operation of a local chapter is one of the significant factors that inspires SPJ members to join or renew. Your programs are a very tangible benefit of membership. "The work SPJ does nationwide on matters of ethics, press freedom, education, and excellence depends upon the strength of our local chapters." SPJ-Hawaii got a plaque that proclaims it to be the "1998 Outstanding Small Professional Chapter Award Region XI," which recognizes its "outstanding programs and activities that enhance professionalism, thereby contributing service to the Society and the profession in general."