Writers honored for
mixed plate of stories

Star-Bulletin staff

The beginnings of macaroni salad, the continuing saga of the embattled boss of the United Public Workers union and the tragedy surrounding a Bishop Estate trustee were among stories that earned Honolulu Star-Bulletin writers Kilohana Awards for the first quarter of 1999.

Those receiving the in-house award for outstanding achievement yesterday were:

Cynthia Oi, for a collection of "Hawaii" stories, including pieces on the Moiliili Blind Fish Tank, the best okazu-ya and the origin of macaroni salad.

Ian Lind, who continued exclusive stories last year on UPW's Gary Rodrigues with pieces on how the powerful union leader used union employees to build and maintain his Oregon ranch, spied on a top union official and participated in the Judicial Selection Commission's proceedings despite a potential conflict of interest.

Rick Daysog and Christine Donnelly, who both scrambled to produce a "comprehensive and readable report" on the suicide of Bishop Estate lawyer Rene Ojiri Kitaoka and estate trustee Gerard Jervis' attempted overdose when their affair became known.

Donnelly's touching and exclusive interview with Rene's husband topped the effort. (Just before he received the award, Daysog wrote a story on Jervis' decision to permanently step down as trustee.)

Blaine Fergerstrom and Ken Andrade, the Star-Bulletin's webmasters, for their efforts in keeping Hawaii expatriates in touch with home via Starbulletin.com.

Betty Shimabukuro for her informative, highly useful and entertaining reports on food. "Her barbecue ribs contest and feature on the classic grilled cheese sandwich with some modern wrinkles were excellent examples of how we can leave well-informed readers with a smile -- and a little sauce -- on their faces," said Managing Editor Dave Shapiro.

Cindy Luis, for her well-conceived and written "Prep Extra" features on high school sports.

The teamwork award, to business editor Ed Lynch; reporters Peter Wagner, Rob Perez, Jerry Tune, Russ Lynch, Christine Donnelly; graphics Mike Rovner and David Swann; and photographers Craig T. Kojima and Ken Sakamoto for Extra Inc., a useful guide for small businesses struggling to survive in this sour economy.