Two Hawaii Students Win $2,500 in Journalism Scholarships

Two Hawaii students just received a powerful vote of confidence in their dreams of becoming storytellers.

The Big Island Press Club awarded scholarships totaling $2,500 to Rianne Angelique Kealohaokalani Kalama Empaynado and Mari Iwata at its annual dinner reception in May. The recognition honors their commitment to journalism and creative media while helping fund their college educations.

Empaynado, a Hilo High School graduate now studying communications at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, received $1,500. Her resume already sparkles with experience from KVIKS Spotlight, the Hilo High School Yearbook, and award-winning public service announcements through programs like Ōlelo Youth XChange 2024 and SHOOTS Hawaii.

For two years, she led KVIKS Media, her high school's communications program, building both technical and leadership skills. Now she's majoring in communications with a focus on graphic design and creative media.

"This scholarship helps me pursue my goal of funding my education through scholarships and my own work while continuing to use storytelling and communication to serve my community," Empaynado said.

Iwata, a Waiākea High School graduate, received $1,000 toward her screenwriting studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She took a leap of faith moving to the mainland to chase her passion for storytelling.

"I took a big leap to pursue my passion, but I knew my real purpose was storytelling," Iwata said. She's determined to ensure that insider voices from her community get heard through her work.

The Ripple Effect

The Big Island Press Club's investment goes beyond tuition checks. By supporting young journalists and storytellers, the organization ensures that Hawaii's diverse voices continue sharing stories that matter to island communities.

Both students plan to bring their skills back to serve their communities through visual storytelling, writing, and creative media. Their success shows how local support can help talented young people pursue ambitious dreams without leaving their values behind.

The scholarship dinner also featured keynote speaker Daniel Ikaika Ito, a Hilo-born surf journalist and communications professional, who shared insights about building a career in storytelling while staying rooted in Hawaiian culture.

These scholarships prove that investing in young storytellers means investing in the future of community journalism itself.