Reading time: < 1 minute

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa student journalists earned top honors for reporting on some of Hawaiʻi’s most pressing issues at the 2025 Society of Professional Journalists Hawaiʻi Chapter Excellence in Journalism Awards.

UH Mānoa students received all 24 awards across eight student categories, with work examining federal research funding, Native Hawaiian programs, agriculture, immigration, local sports and other community issues. The awards were presented July 29 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi.

“From in-depth coverage of the federal research funding environment to striking photos of shark diving expeditions, UH Mānoa journalism students continue to document the life and communities of Honolulu,” said Journalism Program Director John Temple. “Journalism at UH Mānoa has never been more vital.”

UH Mānoa students earned first place in all eight student categories:

• Alani Calderon, Student Investigative Journalism in Any Media
• Laurel Galvin, Student Breaking News in Any Media
• Malia Manuel, Student Feature Journalism in Any Media
• Yuzu Martin, Student Sports Journalism in Any Media
• Jordan Kala‘waia Nunies, Student Journalism Featuring Video
• Gabriela Cervantes, Student Journalism Featuring Photography
• Emma Caires, Student Journalism Featuring Audio
• Tia Lewis, Student Editorial/Opinion Writing

Students also earned every second- and third-place award. The winners included students taking journalism courses in the School of Communication and Information in the College of Social Sciences, along with students reporting and creating for Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi, UH Mānoa’s student newspaper.

The range of recognized work reflects the breadth of storytelling produced by UH Mānoa students across written, audio and visual journalism.

Visit the UH Mānoa College of Social Sciences website for the complete list of winners and their award-winning work.