The Hawaii Tribune-Herald won six awards this week at the 31st annual Pa‘i Awards in Honolulu.
The Hawaii Publishers Association announced the awards Tuesday for outstanding journalism for work published in 2015.
Competition was open to news media outlets statewide, including newspapers, magazines and websites.
Mainland journalists judged the entries to ensure impartiality.
The newspaper took home three first-place awards in the excellence in cover design, feature photography and editorial enterprise categories.
The design award recognized the work of Nathan Christophel for his entry, “Date Onomics.”
“Creative, clever, great use of color, graphics and page balance,” judges said.
Photographer Hollyn Johnson won first place in feature photography for her entry, “Hot! Hot! Hot!” The image captured keiki jumping into Hilo’s ice ponds to escape record heat.
“I can almost feel the heat these kids are trying to escape,” judges said. “That compounded by the lovely leading line, the great mid-air action and the wonderful color, and you’ve got a winning image. Well done.”
In editorial enterprise reporting, reporter Tom Callis won first place for his entry, “OHA goes silent.” The article dug into the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ failed geothermal investment.
“Comprehensive, balanced look story that follows the money — multiple money trails if you throw in campaign contributions — and reinforces the need for watchdog journalism,” judges said.
The newspaper won second place in the following categories:
• Spot news photography, for “Standoff!” by Johnson. The photo depicted a line of protesters atop Mauna Kea who were blocking construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope.
• Special section excellence, for “Celebrate Hula,” the Tribune-Herald’s annual Merrie Monarch Festival preview. Main contributors were John Burnett, Johnson and designer Bonnie Rogers.
• Investigative reporting, for “Kenoi outspent by aides” by Callis and Chris D’Angelo. This story examined the use of county purchasing cards by aides of Mayor Billy Kenoi, who improperly used his pCard to charge personal expenses.
“We’re honored the judges recognized our efforts to provide a quality product to the community,” said David Bock, the Tribune-Herald’s editor and publisher. “I’m proud of our news team’s accomplishments.”
West Hawaii Today, the Tribune-Herald’s sister paper, won five awards: first place, online reporting; second place, excellence in design; second place, sports photography; second place, editorial series; and second place, spot news reporting.
