Hawaiʻi Public Radio’s News team has won nine awards in the 2020 Excellence in Journalism contest sponsored by the Hawaii Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Several stories received recognition in multiple categories.
“How Hawaii Botched Contact Tracing And What It Will Take To Fix It” by Ashley Mizuo
- First Place, General News/Enterprise Reporting - Radio
“Armed Militias Are Readying For A New Civil War in Aloha Shirts” by Ryan Finnerty
- First Place, Feature Reporting - Radio
Judge’s Comments: "Armed militias: great explainer on the origin of the Boogaloo Boys attire and, more importantly, what local residents say about that appropriation.”
“From South America to Hawaii Without A Single Health Check” by Ryan Finnerty
- Second Place, Feature Reporting - Radio
Judge’s Comments: “No health checks: great presence of mind for the reporter to document his journey back into a changed US."
“Failure To Communicate” (series - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) by Ashley Mizuo
- Second Place, Public Service Reporting - All Media
“Hawaii Lawmaker Spent Years Obstructing Vaping Regulation While Receiving Thousands From Big Tobacco” by Ryan Finnerty
- Second Place, Government Reporting - All Media
Judge’s Comments: “A classic example of a public official captured by special interests. Great job bringing this to light.” - Second Place, General News/Enterprise Reporting - Radio
“Racial Disparities Emerge In HPD Enforcement Of Stay-At-Home Violations” by Ashley Mizuo
- Third Place, Data Journalism Story or Series - All Media
Competition Comments: “An excellent example of stories all local newsrooms should be doing: examining who is being arrested in the proper context of that group's proportion of the general population.” - Second Place, Investigative Reporting - All Media
Judge’s Comments: “2: Very strong, raises (and answers) great questions particularly about enforcement against the homeless population.” - Third Place, General News/Enterprise Reporting - Radio
The SPJ is “the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.” The Hawaiʻi Professional Chapter of the SPJ presents the Excellence in Journalism contest annually.
