Kamehameha Maui sweeps print, online divisions

Kamehameha Schools Maui took home the top prizes for best overall newspaper in both print and online divisions in the 2013 Hawaii High School Journalism Awards Wednesday, in addition to six other honors.

Mehana Lee, Maya Nitta and Reid Cairme, co-editors of Ka Leo o Na Koa, were stunned by their success at the 45th annual ceremony, sponsored by the Hawaii Publishers Association at the Pagoda Hotel.

"I want to scream," said Cairme, the sports editor. "Maybe it just hasn’t hit me yet. It feels surreal."

Lee, the news editor, said, "We weren’t expecting to win this year because we have such a small staff (of seven). We were just trying to get the newspaper out. … We were really worried and nervous (about the competition.) It feels really good to get praised for our work."

Nitta, the features editor, said, "We weren’t thinking about writing or taking photos to win, just to get it out for our student body to enjoy." Lee and Cairme called Nitta — who was named Ka Leo’s most valuable staffer — "our saving grace" because no one else could handle graphics, video or Photoshop.

Kamehameha Maui won four print awards, for newswriting, feature writing, photography, and layout and design; and two online awards for reporting and multi­media presentation.

"This year there was so much weight on our shoulders," Cairme said. "It was really, really tough; a lot of late nights, we spent a lot of hours for print and the web." But they also felt rewarded by the appreciation of their readers, he said.

Kamehameha Maui started its journalism program eight years ago. Teacher Kye Haina said the school won the top newspaper award in 2011 and last year won as best online newspaper. But with only three students signed up for next year, Ka Leo o Na Koa may only be able to produce an online edition, Haina said.

"It’s not the final decision," Haina said, but for now seems like the most viable option.

Jay Hartwell, the HPA’s event coordinator and a University of Hawaii student media adviser, said, "We first offered ‘online video’ as a category in 2011, and then added three more online categories (website, multimedia, breaking news) in 2012. … Eventually the distinction between online and print journalism divisions may disappear, and stories may be judged as best news, best feature, etc. regardless of medium."

Hawaii Baptist Academy, which won last year’s best overall print newspaper prize, came in second; and Mililani High was second for best online newspaper. Fifteen schools participated in the print division, and nine in the online division. The contest is supported by the Star-Advertiser, MidWeek, UH and Small Town Papers.

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

PRINT DIVISION

Best in State

1. Kamehameha Schools Maui
2. Hawaii Baptist Academy
3. Kaiser High School
Mililani High School

State Winners

>> News writing: Kamehameha Schools Maui
>> Feature writing: Kamehameha Schools Maui
>> Sports writing: ‘Iolani School
>> Editorial writing: Kaiser High School
>> Layout and design: Kamehameha Schools Maui
>> Photography: Kamehameha Schools Maui
>> Illustration: Campbell High School
>> Editorial cartoon: Hawaii Baptist Academy
>> Single issue: Kaiser High School

ONLINE DIVISION

Best in State
1. Kamehameha Schools Maui
2. Mililani High School
3. Sacred Hearts Academy
Radford High School

State Winners

>> Video: Mililani High School
>> Reporting: Kamehameha Schools Maui
>> Multimedia presentation: Kamehameha Schools Maui
>> Website: Sacred Hearts Academy

CLICK TO ENLARGE.