Apr. 24, 2015

Contributed by Pakalani Bello

KS Maui’s “Ka Leo o Nā Koa” and KS Kapālama’s “Ka Mōʻī” campus newspapers took home a combined 28 awards – including five Best in State honors –  at the 2015 Hawaiʻi High School Journalism Awards competition. The awards were handed out on Wednesday, April 22, at a luncheon at the Pagoda Hotel.

“Ka Leo o Nā Koa” had another wonderful showing in the competition, placing third overall. Of the 21 total award categories, the KS Maui newspaper finished in the private school division’s top three in 17: first place in five, second place in five and third place in seven.

They also took second in the state in two categories – single issue and photo essay – while being named best in state in news writing, feature writing, sports writing and multimedia story presentation.

“Ka Mōʻī” won the Best in State award in the profile writing category, where it also won top honors in the private school division. The paper also took third in the private school division in the single issue and feature writing categories.

KS Maui’s Maile Sur and KS Kapālama’s Pono Suganuma were named their respective newspapers’ Most Valuable Staffers.

Sur was previously named the Journalism Education Association State Journalist of the Year, and traveled to Denver last week for the national convention. While there, Sur also won a Superior Award for photo portrait.

Also at the national convention, “Ka Mōʻī” staffers Callan Medeiros and Cassidy Keola won Honorable Mention Awards in the commentary writing and sports writing categories, respectively. 

Mahalo to KS Maui journalism adviser Kye Haina and KS Kapālama adviser Lionel Barona for pushing these haumāna to higher achievements.