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 dogs 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 Hawaiis biggest earthquake."
Finalist
"Its 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 accidents 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
"Kaimipono"
Lee Imada
The Maui News.
Comments: "A gripping story, well told."
Finalist
"Whats 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. Its 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 Wies 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 Hawaii
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 whats happening in the local airline industry."
Finalist
"Bottling the Ocean"
Patricia Tummons
Environment Hawaii
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 Chapmans world that went beyond the flash of "Dog" to explain why fame doesnt 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: "Its 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. Its a great look at an issue that couldnt 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
Hawaii 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
Hawaii 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
"Whats 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 Bushs Iraq policy. Rumsfelds casual slump as he leaves the Bush administration behind is almost as painful here as Bushs 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 couldnt."
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
Kapio Newspress
Comments: "Lee did an excellent job of conveying Gordon Pangs 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: "Keokis 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 Chinas once impoverished southern provinces is creating new opportunities both in Hawaii and the Chinese mainland as that nations 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: "Rons 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. Marisas 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 officers view of Oahus 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, KGMBs 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. Theres a lot more story to tell."
Finalist
"Chinatown Summit Special: Revitalizing Honolulus Chinatown"
Heidi Chang, Lisa Dowd
Honolulu Municipal Television