McNeil Wilson wins
big in PR awards

Public relations practitioners got to celebrate themselves at an annual awards presentation of the Public Relations Society of America Hawaii Chapter Thursday night.

The association presented Koa Anvil awards for the best public relations programs and Koa Hammer awards for public relations tools, such as annual reports, brochures, news releases and press kits.

One of the eight winning entries submitted by McNeil Wilson Communications Inc. also was named Best of Show.

McNeil Wilson led the Koa Hammer competition with four wins. Olomana Marketing won three, while Becker Communications, Communications-Pacific and Current Events won two hammers each. Hastings & Pleadwell, Pineapple Tweed and Stryker, Weiner & Yokota Public Relations Inc. each won one.

The University of Hawaii's Creative Services and the Big Island Visitors Bureau each won a Koa Hammer. Also, a certificate of excellence was given to Nadine T. Lagaso of Kamehameha Schools for its annual report, "Na Pua a Pauahi."

Shawn Nakamoto, Kamehameha Schools' communications services manager, was named the Gregg W. Perry Public Relations Professional of the Year. The award recognizes contributions she has made to the industry during her career.

Song Choi, marketing and communications director at the Contemporary Museum, was presented the Hokupa'a Award, which is given to an outstanding practitioner with fewer than five years' experience. The PRSA also awarded a scholarship to Ashley Pias, an intern at McNeil Wilson, who will soon enter her senior year at Gonzaga University in Washington state.

Winning campaigns The following public relations programs won Koa Anvil awards: Christening/Debut of the Pride of America: Communications Pacific for NCL America. Category: Events/Observances (7 or fewer days). Subcategory: Business. Hawaii Arts Season: McNeil Wilson Communications for Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau. Category: Integrated Communications. Subcategory: Nonprofit. McDonald's Keiki Safe Haven: Communications Pacific for McDonald's Restaurants of Hawaii. Category: Reputation Programs. Subcategory: Business. Don't Dump on Hawaii: Hastings & Pleadwell. Category: Public Service. Subcategory: Government. Kauai Family Adventure Press Trip: McNeil Wilson Communications for Kauai Visitors Bureau. Category: Events/Observances (7 or fewer days). Subcategory: Nonprofit. Geckos in Paradise: Communications Pacific for Kapiolani Health Foundation. Category:Events/Observances (more than 7 days). Subcategory: Nonprofit. HECO Newsbytes: Hawaiian Electric Co.'s corporate communications department. Category: Internal Communications. Subcategory: Business.