Hawai‘i’s public relations and communications industry gathered to recognize outstanding programs from the past year at the 41st Annual Koa Anvils Awards dinner held at the Prince Waikiki on Thursday, August 22, 2024. The Hawai‘i chapter of the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) received 104 entries for this year’s competition and of those, 66 were recognized with awards. The awards were judged by the PRSA Hoosier Chapter.
In front of more than 180 attendees, PRSA Hawai‘i handed out awards in two main categories:
Koa Anvil Awards for outstanding public relations programs and campaigns; and
Koa Hammer Awards for tactics that are part of a communications campaign.
The Best of Show Award, which honors the public relations campaign that received the highest score in the Anvil category, went to Anthology FINN Partners and Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau on behalf of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority for the “Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau’s Mālama Maui — Recovery Phase” campaign.
For the fourth year in a row, Becker Communications, Inc. took home the MVPr Team of the Year Award for collecting the most awards this year with a total of 18.
PRSA Hawai‘i also honored industry leaders and recognized up-and-coming talent within the public relations field:
Gregg W. Perry Public Relations Professional of the Year Award – Huy Vo, Director of Marketing Communications, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikīkī Beach
Hōkūpa‘a Young Public Relations Professional of the Year Award – Laura Young, Account Executive, Becker Communications, Inc.
President’s Leadership Award – Erica Yamauchi, Director of Communications & Engagement, Office of Wellness & Resilience, Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i
PRSA Hawai‘i/Roy Leffingwell Scholarship 2024 Recipient – Kapono Gaughen
“Every year, the Koa Anvils remind all of us about what it means to be part of a community of professional communicators who are committed to excellence in their craft, integrity in their work, and advancing the industry of public relations,” said 2024 President of PRSA Hawai‘i, Liane Hu Okumura, APR. “Congratulations to all of the winners and to our individual honorees, who exemplify the best of our field in their skills, character and dedication to serving our community.”