Hawaii Catholic Herald
The Hawaii Catholic Herald received five writing awards for work published in 2023 from the Catholic Media Association June 21 during the group’s annual Catholic Media Conference in Atlanta.
Reporter Jennifer Rector and former editor Patrick Downes took second place in the best coverage — disaster or crises category for their coverage of last August’s deadly Lahaina wildfire.
“Great details, great photos,” one judge commented. “I thought the story … on how the faith leaders coordinated their support was a particularly strong enterprise piece.”
Downes also won third place in the best analysis/background/round-up news writing category — the Gerard E. Sherry Award for non-weekly publications for his story on Mass-going trends: “Mass attendance is up, but …”
The judges wrote, “Very good summary of a topic of great interest, with good context worked in. At a time when analysis of what’s happening in mainstream churches is filled with conjecture, this is solid.”
Rector’s story about the Maui quilting ministry “Blankets of love” took an honorable mention in the best feature writing category for non-weekly newspapers.
Former reporter Anna Weaver was given an honorable mention in the best personality profile category for non-weekly publications for “Sharing faith through hula,” her story on Agnes Renee Leihiwahiwaikapolionamakua Thronas Brown, who claimed the Miss Aloha Hula crown at the 2023 Merrie Monarch Festival.
The Hawaii Catholic Herald’s “Annual Diocesan Stewardship Report” received honorable mention in the best annual report — diocesan finances category.
