New categories for SPJ contest

   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.

How they covered the Xerox shootings


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.

Kamemoto is secrecy buster

     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.

Viva Las Vegas: SPJ Superregional Conference

     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.

New forms of paying memberships

   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.

Portnoy on privacy, FOI

     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.

1999 board re-elected

     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.

Hawaii wins best in the West Region XI

     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."