University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s student newspaper earned two national first place awards from the College Media Association. Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi was the nation’s best in breaking news photo and newspaper feature page/spread.
The winning photo was taken by Ka Leo Photo Editor Diego Rivera of a fire that ripped through an apartment complex near UH Mānoa’s lower campus in May 2022. The photo caption on the online post read, “Spectators gather from the sidelines as firefighters take on the blaze.”
The winning feature page was from a November 12, 2021, print edition and featured the top 10 boba spots on Oʻahu. Illustrations created by Ka Leo Design Editor Amy Lowe spotlight a drink from each of the 10 locations. The list and story was compiled by Ka Leo Features Writer Sarah Tomita.
“With all the adversities our staff face in our day-to-day lives, achievements like this make all the difference,” Ka Leo Interim Editor in Chief Noe Nekotani said. “Under the pressure of deadlines, school and life, our staff still manages to pull through with award winning content. I am very proud to be working alongside these staffers and encourage all students to find their potential here at Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi.”
College Media Association’s Pinnacle Awards honor the best college media organizations and individual work. The competition is open to student work produced for any college media organization, including print, broadcast and online outlets, during an academic year.
UH Mānoa student media programs captured four College Media Association awards in 2021, including first place awards for best video promo/PSA and best general news photo. Here is a list of awards:
- 1st place best video promo/PSA: Mānoa Now
- 1st place best general news photo: Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi
- 2nd place best online ad: Mānoa Now
- Honorable mention best podcast: The Future Accords, KTUH
—By Marc Arakaki
