HONOLULU — West Hawaii Today won six awards, including two first-place honors, in the annual journalism contest put on by the Hawaii chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
HONOLULU — West Hawaii Today won six awards, including two first-place honors, in the annual journalism contest put on by the Hawaii chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
The honors for work done in 2015 were presented at an awards dinner in Honolulu Friday night. The entries were judged by the Colorado SPJ chapter.
Rick Winters swept the all-media sports photography/videography, winning a first-place award for “Rodeo,” and a finalist plaque for “Through the racket.”
The judge noted the top award was a “Solid action photo.”
J.R. De Groote took home the first place plaque for all-media sports reporting for “IRONMAN preview,” a look at West Hawaii’s top annual sporting event.
“One of the better preview sections I’ve seen when it comes to an event of this type,” the judges said. “Loved the cost breakdown for clothes, shoes, etc.”
In the open category for government reporting, Nancy Cook Lauer was a finalist for “Kenoi gets personal with county credit card,” an article breaking the news that Hawaii County’s mayor had been using his purchasing card, or pCard, for personal expenses including hostess bars. Lauer competed in the category with other newspapers, television and radio stations, magazines and online news agencies.
“Many excellent entries in this extremely competitive category,” the judges said. “The winning entries tackled tough topics, provided clear and thorough analysis and gutsy tenacity. All were exceedingly well written.”
Bret Yager was a finalist in the daily newspaper category for enterprise reporting. His “Kua Bay” reports depicted dangerous swimming conditions at a popular West Hawaii beach and the community’s efforts to get lifeguards.
Jeffrey Carter was a finalist in the daily newspaper feature page design category for his entry “Pasta.”
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald also won six awards, also including two first-place honors.
Nathan Christophel won first place in the daily newspaper feature page design for his entry, “Travel page.”
Reporter Tom Callis took home two awards. He garnered a first-place plaque for daily newspaper enterprise reporting, in a story co-authored by former reporter Chris D’Angelo, for “Kenoi outspent by aides,” a look at pCard spending records for the mayor and his top aides.
“Strong, in-depth reporting on a serious issue,” the judge said. “The article is detailed and well-researched, Excellent job.”
Callis was a finalist in the daily newspaper spot news reporting for “Protesters arrested,” a breaking news story of protests atop Mauna Kea over the Thirty Meter Telescope that ended with multiple arrests.
On that same topic, Hollyn Johnson was a finalist in the all-media category for photography/videography for her entry titled “Standoff!” The series of photos depicted the clash of protesters and authorities that ended with the arrest of 12 Thirty Meter telescope opponents atop Mauna Kea.
Ivy Ashe was a finalist for the daily newspaper short form feature writing for “Power of Pauline.” The article described a woman born without legs or arms who is a role model for others.