Big Island Press Club

06/10/2026

The Big Island Press Club has announced its 2026 scholarship recipients, honoring two local students pursuing careers in communications and storytelling.

Rianne Angelique Kealohaokalani Kalama Empaynado, a Hilo High School alumna and current University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo communications major, was awarded the first-place $1,500 scholarship. Mari Iwata, a Waiākea High School alumna studying screenwriting at Loyola Marymount University, received the second-place $1,000 scholarship.

The awards were presented during the club's annual Scholarship Dinner Reception on May 28 at the Hilo Yacht Club, which featured a keynote address by Hilo-born surf journalist and communications professional Daniel Ikaika Ito.

Founded in 1967, the Big Island Press Club awards annual scholarships to students with Hawaiʻi Island ties who are pursuing careers in journalism or related media fields.

Read more: https://bigislandpressclub.org/gleanings/2026-scholarship-winners

05/22/2026

Grab your tickets for the 2026 BIPC Scholarship Dinner before the RSVP deadline on Monday! We can't wait to see you there!

https://www.bigislandpressclub.org/collect/choice/702518-p-2026-bipc-scholarship-reception-5-8-p-m-thursday-may-28

05/13/2026

The Big Island Press Club invites you to an evening of celebration and networking at our 2026 Scholarship Dinner Reception at the beautiful Hilo Yacht Club!

We are proud to support the next generation of Big Island storytellers. Our evening will feature a keynote address by Daniel Ikaika Ito, a veteran in the fields of surf journalism and strategic communications.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with media professionals, community leaders, and the talented students who are the future of our industry.

RSVP by May 25. Get your tickets here: https://www.bigislandpressclub.org/collect/description/702518-p-2026-bipc-scholarship-reception-5-8-p-m-thursday-may-28

Mahalo for supporting the BIPC scholarship fund and the public's right to know since 1967.

05/03/2026

Join us for an evening of celebration at the Hilo Yacht Club on Thursday, May 28, to honor our 2026 scholarship recipients, the future of journalism and storytelling in Hawaiʻi!

Come for the inspiration, stay for the sunset views and a delicious heavy pupu spread! This is our premier event of the year to support the next generation of Watchdogs.

📅 When: Thursday, May 28 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Where: Hilo Yacht Club
🎟️ Tickets: $50 Members | $70 General Public
⚠️ RSVP: Space is limited! Reserve your seat by May 25 at bigislandpressclub.org

05/02/2026

Great to be out in the community! BIPC President Maya-Lin Green and Board Adjunct Laila Moiré-Selvage attended the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce’s Economic & Market Update yesterday at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center.

It was an insightful afternoon featuring Steve Rodgers from First Hawaiian Bank, offering a deep dive into the economic future of Hawaiʻi. Staying informed on these trends is vital as we continue our mission of transparency and community advocacy. 📰📈

04/29/2026

CALLING ALL FUTURE JOURNALISTS! Just a few more days to apply to the 2026 BIPC Scholarship Program: https://forms.gle/p9noVF2Lgg9idSZz6

04/29/2026

Just a few more days to apply! https://forms.gle/p9noVF2Lgg9idSZz6

Our scholarship application is officially open!

Each year, we award merit-based scholarships to up-and-coming journalists and communications professionals with Big Island ties, supporting the next generation of storytellers and media leaders.

Applications close April 30. Awardees will be notified in May, with a celebratory event to follow.

Please spread the word and apply today!

https://forms.gle/p9noVF2Lgg9idSZz6