2007 Excellence in Journalism Awards
July 11, 2008 at Dole Cannery Ballrooms
Steve
Petranik of The Honolulu Advertiser
The Greater Oregon and Cincinnati chapters of SPJ judged this
year’s contest.
Hawaii Chapter
2007 Excellence in Journalism Awards
DAILY NEWSPAPER
D1 Business Reporting
First Place
Business Reporting
"Funeral Trusts Take 30 Percent Off Top"
Jim Dooley
The Honolulu Advertiser
Comments: Terrific expose of an outrageous funeral industry practice.
Finalist
"Former American Savings Bank Assistant Manager Indicted on 10 Counts of Theft, Embezzlement and Fraud"
Malia Zimmerman
Hawaii Reporter
Finalist
"Corporations vs. Corpses"
Jaymes Song
The Associated Press
D2 Spot News Reporting
First Place
"Don Ho's Death Coverage"
John Berger, Helen Altonn, Robert Shikina, Alex Da Silva, Gary Chun
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Comments: Thorough deadline coverage on the death of a very public figure. Emotional and gripping.
Finalist
"Hawaii Superferry"
Chris Hamilton, Melissa Tanji
The Maui News
Finalist
"Homeless Mansions"
Audrey McAvoy
The Associated Press
D3 General News/Enterprise Reporting
First Place
"Sythan's Journey"
Craig Gima
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Comments: The reporter traveled to Cambodia to follow the experience of a girl who needed to travel to Hawaii for surgery. A very ambitious project.
Finalist
"Ethics Board Member Supported Councilor"
Jason Armstrong
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
Finalist
"Corks Blow at Champagne Pond"
Bret Yager
Hawaii Tribune-Herald.
D4 Feature Writing Short Form
First Place
"Mr. Kuraya's Prologue"
Lee Imada
The Maui News
Comments: Meaningful narrative, well told story
Finalist
"And Now There Are Only 5 Left"
William Cole
The Honolulu Advertiser
Finalist
"The Hefty Influence"
Susan Essoyan
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
D5 Feature Writing Long
First Place
"Their Spirit Carries Them"
Michael Tsai
The Honolulu Advertiser
Comments: An inspiring piece, effectively communicated.
Finalist
" 'They Thought I Was Dead Until ... '
Stephen Tsai
The Honolulu Advertiser
Finalist
"Firmly Planted"
Nadine Kam
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
D6 News Page Design
First Place
"The Drowning of Hawaii"
Mike Rovner, Charlene Robinson
Honolulu Star Bulletin
Comments: Beautiful. We won't let the ad count against it.
Finalist
"Dalai Lama - Meeting of Minds, Cultures"
Tressa Verber
The Maui News
Finalist
"Pearl Harbor Anniversary"
Jed Stockton
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
D7 Feature Page Design
First Place
"Just Beachy"
Jacquelyn Carberry
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Comments: The page has a nice integration of geological shapes.
Finalist
"Dream On!"
Steve Berkowsky
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Finalist
"Aquarium Thinks Big"
Russell McCrory
The Honolulu Advertiser
INTERNET
I1 Online Spot News Reporting
First Place
"Don Ho Farewell"
Advertiser Staff
The Honolulu Advertiser
Comments: A great use of multimedia storytelling tools.
No finalists
I2 Online General News Reporting
First Place
"Burma Stories & Videos"
Craig Gima
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Comments: This is the kind of reporting – detailed and full of context but never bogged down in ponderous writing – that is the point of journalism. And it's the kind of videography that is the point of expanding to online access. Tops among extraordinarily strong competition.
Finalists
Online General News Reporting
"Iz - Wonderful World"
Advertiser Staff
The Honolulu Advertiser
Online General News Reporting
"KaLoko Dam - Coverage Continues"
Malia Zimmerman
Hawaii Reporter
Ronna Bolante of Honolulu
Magazine
MAGAZINE
M1 Business Reporting
First Place
"Big Spenders, Global investors shake up Hawaii's list of wealthiest landowners"
Cathy Cruz-George
Hawaii Business
Comments: This story was a fascinating roundup of Hawaii’s wealthiest landowners, as ranked by tax assessed value.
Finalist
"The Rarest Chocolate in the World"
Rita Ariyoshi
Spirit of Aloha
Finalist
"Big Box Battle, Will plans for a Wal-Mart supercenter box out Kauai’s mom and pop shops?"
Jacy Youn
Hawaii Business Magazine.
M2 Industry or Trade Reporting
First Place
"30 Years at the Table"
John Heckathorn
Honolulu Magazine
Comments: Great 30th anniversary magazine story, looking at 30 years of restaurants.
Finalist
"Morphing Waikiki"
John Wythe White
Spirit of Aloha
Finalist
"Fishing Industry Faces Challenge of Endangered Species"
Teresa Dawson
Environment Hawai'i
M3 Profile
First Place: (tie)
"The Story of Big Mike: Mike Harrah is a daredevil and a developer"
Scott Radway
Hawaii Business
First Place (tie)
"Movin’ on Up"
Ronna Bolante
Honolulu Magazine
Comments: Both these pieces exemplify strong personality profile writing, even though they are very different.
Finalist
"The Inviting, Enticing Art of Hula"
Benton Sen
Spirit of Aloha
Finalist
"When Push Comes to Shove"
Lucy Jokiel
Island Scene Magazine
M4 Feature Writing/Short Form
First Place
"Mo’ Betta’ Waikiki"
Thelma Chang
Spirit of Aloha
Finalist
"Grandmother Flash"
Rose Kahele
Hana Hou!
Finalist
"Adventures on Da Bus"
Lucy Jokiel
Island Scene Magazine
M5 Feature Writing/Long Form
First Place
"Home Is Where the Hulihuli Is"
Dennis Hollier
Spirit of Aloha
Comments: This really fun feature on the joy of Hawaii’s roadside food is written in a breezy, yet informative style. A clear winner.
Finalist
"Motu Football"
Liza Simon
Hana Hou!
Finalist
"Hana‘i Tales"
Paul Wood
Hana Hou!
M6 Page Design
First Place
"The New Photography in Hawaii: The Islands, Reinterpreted"
Darrell Ishii
Spirit of Aloha
Comments: Simply stunning work.
Finalist
"Birds of Steel"
Kunio Hayashi
Hana Hou!
Finalist
"Daytripping"
Darrell Ishii
Spirit of Aloha
M7 Magazine Cover
First Place
"Fight Club"
Wes Funai
Hawaii Business
Comments: A fun cover concept, especially for a business magazine!
Finalist
November 2007 cover
Kristin Lipman
Honolulu Magazine.
Finalist
"Warriors Report"
Mike Rovner, Bryant Fukutomi
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
ND1 Business Reporting
First Place
"Not So Picture Perfect"
Chad Blair
Pacific Business News
Comments: Really thoughtful coverage of how businesses are hurt by a drop in Japanese weddings.
Finalist
"K-Bay recycling center manager talks trash"
Christine Cabalo
Hawaii Marine
Finalist
"Chill out with shave ice"
Christine Cabalo
Hawaii Marine.
ND2 General News/Enterprise Reporting
First Place
"Exercising for two at Semper Fit"
Christine Cabalo
Hawaii Marine
No comments
Finalist
"K-Bay recycling center manager talks trash"
Christine Cabalo
Hawaii Marine
Finalist
"Students unite for for Freedom Walk
Christine Cabalo
Hawaii Marine
ND 3 Feature Writing
First Place
"The Magical Reno Weekend"
Joe Udell
The Hawai‘i Herald
Comments: Nice scene setter, well handled.
Finalist
"Teacher leaves on a good note"
Christine Cabalo
Hawaii Marine.
ND 4 Community Reporting
First Place
"Teacher leaves on a good note"
Christine Cabalo
Hawaii Marine
No comments
Finalist
"Quilts warm hearts at Fisher House"
Christine Cabalo
Hawaii Marine.
Finalist
"Exercising for two at Semper Fit"
Christine Cabalo
Hawaii Marine
ND5 Non-Daily Page Design
First Place
"Killer Waves"
Christine Cabalo
Hawaii Marine
NO COMMENTS
Finalist
"PBN – Aug. 31, 2007"
Ruben Duldulao
Pacific Business News
OPEN PRINT
P1 Column Writing/News
First Place
"Under the Sun"
Cynthia Oi
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Comments: The writer certainly doesn’t pull any punches in expressing her opinion.
Finalist
"Lee Cataluna"
Lee Cataluna
The Honolulu Advertiser
Finalist
"Board Talk"
Teresa Dawson
Environment Hawai‘i
P2 Column Writing/Features
First Place
"About Women"
Christie Wilson
The Honolulu Advertiser
Comments: Engrossing and lively copy.
Finalist
"Fashion Statement" "Urban Renewal" "The Real Deli"
David K. Choo
Hawaii Business Magazine.
Finalist
"Merrily We Roll Along" "Gravity and Other Hazards"
Kathryn Drury Wagner
Honolulu Magazine.
P3 Government Reporting
First Place
"Elevator Checks Lagging"
Jim Dooley
The Honolulu Advertiser
Comments: Jim Dooley's story about state elevator inspections in Hawaii examined a problem waiting to happen. Most reporting is after an incident, Dooley's reporting may serve to keep a deadly incident from occurring. Dooley's story made the reader aware of the multiyear backlog for annual elevator inspections in Hawaii, and the causes of the problem. Dooley took a sound path between alerting the reader and alarming the reader.
Finalist
Government Reporting
"Bones of Contention"
Ronna Bolante
Honolulu Magazine
Finalist
Government Reporting
"Critics of Akaka Bill appointed to advisory board of U.S. Civil Rights Commission"
Alex Da Silva
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
P4 Breaking News Reporting
First Place
"Army's Worst Day"
William Cole, Dan Nakaso, Lynda Arakawa, Will Hoover
The Honolulu Advertiser
Comments: The Iraq War came home for ten Hawaii families on one day in August. The reporting of William Cole, Dan Nakaso, Lynda Arakawa and Will Hoover brought and shared that story. In striking a balance between human interest and hard news, The Honolulu Advertiser's coverage of the crash of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Iraq was well balanced, complete and most of all, compassionate.
Finalist
Breaking News Reporting
"Two Fatal Kauai Helicopter Crashes"
Tom Finnegan, Craig Gima
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Finalist
Breaking News Reporting
"2nd Copter Crashes"
Dan Nakaso, Jan TenBruggencate, Rick Daysog, Christie Wilson, Kevin Dayton
The Honolulu Advertiser
P5 Health Reporting
First Place
"Suicide Pleas to Tripler Fail"
Rob Perez
The Honolulu Advertiser
Comments: Very thorough reporting on a timely topic – mental health care for military members – but at the same time the story stayed focused on the tale of one man and how his repeated attempts to get help failed in an overburdened system.
Finalist
Health Reporting
"Gastric Bypass"
Helen Altonn
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Finalist
Health Reporting
"Isle Security Tight for Deadly Viruses"
Sean Hao
The Honolulu Advertiser
P6 Sports Reporting
First Place
"Paula Creamer"
Paul Arnett
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Comments: It's easy to write the big story when the big news happens, and Hawaii sports was blessed with big news in 2007. It isn't so easy to sit at a press conference and write the story no one else is. Paul Arnett’s profile of Paula Creamer at the Fields Open pro-am brought a professional athlete down to human size. And, at the same time, it told a touching story of fan interaction. It also brought the reader the cold reality of the work of a golfer beyond hushed greens.
Finalist
"Second Chance U"
Sports Reporting
Jaymes Song
The Associated Press
Finalist
Sports Reporting
"Michelle Wie: What happened?"
Michael Tsai
The Honolulu Advertiser
P7 Arts and Entertainment Writing
First Place
"Swooning at the Hui"
Rick Chatenever
The Maui News
Comments: Tone and pace are the keys to this story, which evokes both the seriousness of the artists' accomplishments and the excitement of their multifaceted celebration with an economy of words.
Finalist
Arts and Entertainment Writing
"Isle navigation documentary creates ohana to aid"
Katherine Nichols
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Finalist
Arts and Entertainment Writing
"Hip Hop tour mostly rings hollow"
Jason Genegabus
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
P8 Editorial Opinion
First Place
"A Hawaii-style shafting"
Jim Kelly
Pacific Business News
Comments: Strong details and clear writing grab the reader.
No finalists
P9 Editorial Cartoon
First Place
"Don Imus"
Dick Adair
The Honolulu Advertiser
Comments: The simple image conveys a strong message.
No finalists
P10 Illustration
First Place
"Sour Poi Awards"
Matt Mignanelli
Honolulu Magazine
Comments: Really well done, sophisticatedly illustrates the news item. Nice use of color and line. Very distinctive style – almost Ralph Steadman-like.
Finalist
Illustration
"Words to Live By"
Garry Ono
Spirit of Aloha
Finalist
Illustration
"Coop Dreams"
Alfredo Garma
Hana Hou!
P11 Informational Graphic
First Place
Gregory Taylor, Minette McCabe, Jon Orque
The Honolulu Advertiser
Hawaii Superferry
Comments: Outstanding work; wonderful level of detail, extremely reader friendly and useful.
Finalist
Informational Graphic
"Kawai Nui Marsh"
Jon Orque
The Honolulu Advertiser
Finalist
Informational Graphic
"Inside Mo's Big Guns"
Dave Swann
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
P12 News Photography
First Place
"Goodbye Alexander"
Jeff Widener
The Honolulu Advertiser
Comments: Judges felt this was the cleanest, most news-telling image of the group. The message is very clear and has a nice composition with several moments occurring simultaneously.
Finalist
News Photography
"Coming Home"
Dennis Oda
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
P13 Feature Photography
First Place
"USS Oklahoma"
Bruce Asato
The Honolulu Advertiser
Comments: Judges felt this was a well composed, visually interesting image that was less than typical compared to the other entries. The image contains lots of information about the individual and creates a sense of place without being overly obvious.
Finalist
Feature Photography
" 'Best Community Theater' photo"
Honolulu Magazine
Finalist
Feature Photography
"Oh Joy"
Jeff Widener
Honolulu Advertiser
P14 Sports Photography
First Place
"Roosevelt Clinches East"
Jamm Aquino
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Comments: Great action and expression. Tells the story.
No finalists
P15 Photo Essay
First Place
"Celebrations"
Sergio Goes
Honolulu Magazine
Comments: Judges felt this was the strongest collection of images about a specific subject created by a single photographer, which showed a dedication of time, appreciation for the island lifestyle and its customs and traditions.
No finalists
P16 Special Section
First Place
"Wonderful World"
Mike Gordon, Beverly Creamer, Wayne Harada, Russell McCrory
The Honolulu Advertiser
Comments: A good look at a man who, like Elvis, has become a musical legend even in death.
Finalist
Special Section
"Don Ho Dies"
Staff
The Honolulu Advertiser
Finalist
Special Section
"Dream Season"
Jamm Aquino, Dave Reardon, Donica Kaneshiro, Richard Walker, Dennis Oda
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
P17 Investigative Reporting
First Place
"Good Causes, Flawed Process"
Rob Perez
The Honolulu Advertiser
Comments: A revealing group of articles, thoroughly reported, on an important topic. This is classic impact journalism.
Finalist
Investigative Reporting
"Kukui Garden"
Rick Daysog
The Honolulu Advertiser
Finalist
Investigative Reporting
"NELHA and Megasoft"
Patricia Tummons
Environment Hawai'i
P18 Public Service Reporting
First Place
"Hidden Wounds"
Susan Essoyan
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Comments:
Finalist
Public Service Reporting
"Unguarded Giving"
Rob Perez
The Honolulu Advertiser
Finalist
Public Service Reporting
"Hawaii Superferry"
The Honolulu Advertiser
The Honolulu Advertiser
RADIO
R1
No Entries
R2 Feature Reporting
First Place
"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Center, Tripler Army Medical Center"
Wayne N. Yoshioka
Hawaii Public Radio
Comments: You’ve done a good job giving a voice to people suffering from PTSD – actually by getting them to open up in their own voice. Details of the treatment philosophy are fascinating. This is important work as is your work sharing this with the general public.
Finalist
Feature Reporting
"Bassist Lyle Ritz: Father of Jazz Ukulele"
Heidi Chang, Tom Cole
National Public Radio
Finalist
Feature Reporting
"Aloha Koke'e - Following the Scent of Kaua'i's Forest"
Noe Tanigawa
Hawaii Public Radio
STUDENT
S1 News Writing
First Place
"Security violates federal crime log law"
Alyssa S. Navares
Ka Leo O Hawai'i
Comments: Great digging and fearless reporting here. You’re using the power of good journalism to create change by challenging the roadblocks put in the way of public information.
Finalist
News Writing
"Health experts to examine dance studios"
Alyssa S. Navares
Ka Leo O Hawai'i
S2 Feature Writing
First Place
"She's a real doll"
Diane S.W. Lee
The Honolulu Advertiser
Comments: An interesting peek into the life of an ordinary girl touched by fame.
No finalists
S3 Broadcast Reporting
First Place
"Health experts to examine dance studios"
Alyssa S. Navares
Ka Leo O Hawai'i
Comments: You’ve done bold, important work drawing attention to this problem. Pieces like this are vital to holding officials accountable and raising general awareness.
No finalists
Keoki
Kerr of KITV
TELEVISION
T1 Government Reporting
First Place
"Smoking Violators Go Unpunished"
Keoki Kerr
KITV
Comments: Watchdog journalism for some is a lost art. Good to see someone is keeping tabs on this important issue.
Finalist
Government Reporting
"Boardwalk Blunder"
Beth Hillyer
KHNL
T2 Business Reporting
First Place
Business Reporting
"University of Hawaii Business Development"
Gary Sprinkle
KITV
Comments: This two-piece package was one of the more interesting stories I’ve seen on television. It was visually attractive as well.
Finalist
Business Reporting
Puna Kamali'i
Pamela Young
KITV
T3 General News/Enterprise Reporting
First Place
"Mount Everest Doc"
Stephanie Lum, Duncan Armstrong
KHNL News 8
Comments: Visually compelling video that complimented a unique story that was told very well.
Finalist
General News/Enterprise Reporting
"Manoa Wildfire"
Ron Mizutani, Greg Lau
KHON2
T4 Feature Reporting
First Place
"Obesity Battle Prompts School Changes"
Marisa Yamane
KHON2 News
Comments: A well-edited, informative feature on what one school is doing in response to a serious health problem. Included nice quotes from students.
Finalist
Feature Reporting
"Mixed Plate: Body Worlds"
Pamela Young
KITV
Finalist
Feature Reporting
"Hawaiian: A Language in Jeopardy"
Keahi Tucker
KGMB9-TV
T5 Investigative Reporting
First Place
"Dorm Security: An Open Door?"
Tim Sakahara, Taizo Braden, Mike Cherry, Robbie Reich
KGMB9
Comments: Good watchdog story exposes a gap between what officials say and what the reality is.
No finalists
T6 Series Reporting
First Place
"Trip to Indonesia"
Stacy Loe, Mike Cherry
KGMB-TV
Comments: It must have been very interesting for Hawaii viewers to see Indonesia and how disaster issues there could help Hawaii learn how to deal with those disasters.
No finalists
T7 Videography
First Place
"Skate dog"
Stuart Ishikawa
KITV
Comments: Funny and well-photographed story told from the dog’s level.
No finalists
T8 Documentary
First Place
"Season of the Lion"
Pamela Young
KITV
Comments: We find this look behind the scene of "The Lion King" to be very interesting and informative. It’s a reminder that not every documentary has to be about a serious issue.
No finalists
T9 Special News Program
First Place
"Don Ho Remembered"
Staff
KGMB9-TV
Comments: Fitting coverage for a cultural icon. Nice photography and the story flowed well, especially considering it was a live event.
No finalists
T10 Public Service Reporting
First Place
"Hawaii's Medical Crisis"
Leland Kim, Joseph Aikala
KHNL News 8
Comments: In a very strong category, this entry brought to light a serious issue in Hawaii and dealt with it thoroughly.
Finalist
"Friends of the gang"
Gary Sprinkle
KITV
THANK YOU TO THE JUDGES OF THE REGION 12 CONTESTHelen Altonn
Laurie Au
Dave Briscoe
David Butts
Alex Da Silva
Susan
Essoyan
James Gonser
Gerald Kato
Nancy Cook Lauer
Marsha McFadden
Stirling Morita
Sandra Oshiro
Gene Park
Robert
Shikina