Stephens Media Hawaii took home 16 awards for excellence in journalism in the Society of Professional Journalists Hawaii chapter contest.
Awards were presented Friday in Honolulu. The Colorado SPJ chapter judged the entries.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald won 10 awards, including three first-place honors, while West Hawaii Today’s six awards included two for first place.
Tribune-Herald reporter John Burnett was a finalist in the all-media news photography/videography category for his photo “10 years in fatal crash.”
“Human tragedy and remorse compel viewers to lock onto this excellent photograph of a sentencing and to read the story behind it,” the judges said.
The Tribune-Herald staff entry was a finalist in the special section category for all media for “Merrie Monarch Festival 50th anniversary.”
“Wow,” said the judges. “This package is very well designed and obviously comprehensive. While outsiders might not fully understand, they would after reading this special section. It’s the ‘spirit and the culture of the Hawaiian people.’”
Tribune-Herald reporter Tom Callis was a finalist in the investigative reporting, all media, category for his series “GMO Hawaii: A war is waging in the islands.”
“Wide-ranging stories give a very good overview of GMO in the state, with perspective from both sides,” judges said.
In the all-media category for sports reporting, West Hawaii Today’s J.R. De Groote was a finalist for “Camacho conquers Kaiwi Channel.”
“Hats off to the writer for an in-depth look at the swimmer’s accomplishment — especially after very painful jellyfish stings,” the judges said.
The all-media category includes newspaper, television, radio, magazines and online venues.
In the all-newspaper category, there were two finalists for business reporting.
The Tribune-Herald’s Colin Stewart was honored for “Out of its shell.”
“A clearly-told look at a budding industry,” judges said.
Erin Miller of West Hawaii Today was lauded for “Kona Village laying off last workers.”
First place for news page design went to Joseph Mountain of West Hawaii Today for “Design: Snow and Ironman preview.”
“Nice use of photo with banner. Good headline with color splash ‘m’ in middle,” the judges said.
Meg Scarbrough of the Tribune-Herald was a finalist in the category for her layout “GMO Hawaii: A war is waging in the islands.”
“Good blend of stories graphics and pictures. Layout pretty conventional, but effective,” the judges said.
In the daily newspaper category, the Tribune-Herald’s Burnett took first place in spot news reporting for “10 years in fatal crash.”
“Compelling narrative spot reporting of a painful sentencing hearing that deftly includes key elements of a tragic accident,” judges said.
Burnett also took the top prize for general news/enterprise reporting in the daily newspaper category for “Pop Warner embezzlement.”
Nancy Cook Lauer, of West Hawaii Today, was a finalist in the category for “Food thrown out.”
The Tribune-Herald’s reporter Stewart took first place for short-form feature writing in the daily newspaper category for “Making it official,” a story about a lesbian couple who were married.
“Well written story on an issue of high interest,” judges said.
Carolyn Lucas-Zenk of West Hawaii Today was a finalist in the category with “Fixing pools gone amuck.”
“Story brings light to an environmental issue in a community in a compelling manner,” judges said.
West Hawaii Today associate editor Brenda Jensen took first place for feature page design with “Got rocks?”
The Tribune-Herald’s Scarbrough was a finalist in that category for “GMO Hawaii: A war is waging in the islands,” and her colleague Nathan Christophel was a finalist for “Google: Peering into social mindset.”
