At the 3rd Annual KVIKS Media Gala, themed, “The Chungus Awards” KVIKS Media honored the outstanding contributions of its members through the Pillars of Excellence Awards, our highest form of recognition for student achievement. These awards celebrate the dedication, leadership, and creative excellence demonstrated by individuals who go above and beyond in their commitment to the program. Chosen by the KVIKS Media Advisors, these honorees embody the core values of our program: integrity, collaboration, innovation, and service to community.
The Pillars of Excellence Awards stand as a tribute not only to personal success but also to the collective spirit of KVIKS Media. Through their work, these students have elevated our standards, inspired their peers, and contributed meaningfully to the mission of storytelling at Hilo High School and beyond.
KVIKS Media Legacy Award
The KVIKS Media Legacy Award is the highest honor presented by the program, reserved for a graduating senior whose contributions have left a lasting impact on KVIKS Media. This award recognizes a student who has dedicated multiple years to the program, often beginning as early as their freshman or sophomore year, and who has consistently exemplified the values of excellence, leadership, and service. Recipients of the Legacy Award have helped shape the culture, quality, and direction of KVIKS Media through their creativity, mentorship, and unwavering commitment. Their influence is seen not only in the work they’ve produced, but in the inspiration they’ve provided to their peers and the standard they’ve set for future generations. This award honors those whose legacy will be remembered long after they graduate.
We are proud to present the inaugural KVIKS Media Legacy award to Rianne Angelique Kealohaokalani Kalama Empaynado.
Commentator of the Year
Live Commentary is the heart and soul of a sports broadcast. It takes skill, passion, dedication and deep knowledge of the game. Commentators bring excitement and insight to every broadcast. We would like to thank all of our commentators this year, Dylan Jenkins, Ka’ea Gonzales, Kumu Lono, Ms. Waracka and Mr. Masuyama for lending their voice and talents to our broadcasts.
This year, The Commentator of the Year award goes to a student who commentated for several years, broke out of their comfort zone, they commentated a variety of sports, from every season, Fall, Winter and Spring.
We are proud to present this year’s Commentator of the Year Award to Ka’ea Gonzales.
Technical Achievement Award
The Technical Achievement Award honors a student who is committed to applying technical know-how, creativity, and problem-solving skills to a variety of our programs, especially broadcasting. The winner this year worked hard behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly, making a big difference in the quality and reliability of each broadcast. This individual from the start has shown a large amount of dedication to KVIKS Media, to the point we have to tell them to stop going to events to prevent them from getting burnt out, yet they persist.
We are proud to present this year’s award to Landan Lopez.
Photographer of the Year
Many members join KVIKS to do photography, but hardly anyone stays to learn, or they are interested in another department. This award, The Photographer of the Year Award, recognizes a talented photographer whose work has stood out for its creativity, skill, and ability to capture powerful moments. Through their lens, they tell stories that connect with audiences and bring events to life. Their dedication and eye for detail make them a standout in the field of photography. Although we have many awesome photographers, who take exceptional photos, one photographer showed the most amount of commitment to our program this school year.
We are proud to present this year’s award to Florelaine Gonzalez.
KVIKS Media Spirit Award
Many students go through KVIKS with the mindset of it being just another club. However, many stand out, representing KVIKS Media’s many values such as: Know What You Want, Go from Good to Great, and so on and so forth. The KVIKS Media Spirit Award is dedicated to a member with a high passion and dedication to the soul and spirit of KVIKS Media.
We are proud to present this year’s award to Chriss Yanagisawa.
Creative Producer Award
The Creative Producer Award goes to an outstanding imaginative and creative member of KVIKS Media. From thumbnails to slides, this member has stepped up creatively.
We are proud to present this year’s award to Wanvisa Suwanwong.
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award. This award goes to a freshman or sophomore who has risen above all expectations and done impactful work in their short time in KVIKS Media. While it sounds similar to the Newbie Award, the Rising Star Award is for someone who has truly left an impact. From their Freshman year to now, this individual has climbed the ranks and shined, becoming a well-known member and leader in KVIKS Media.
We are proud to present this year’s award to Kai Bowlin.
Outstanding Broadcaster Award
The Outstanding Broadcaster Award is dedicated to an individual who has been a standout crew member of our Broadcasting Department. However, this award is going to someone who has revolutionized a faction in KVIKS Media and Hilo High School. The second this member walked into KVIKS, the landscape changed from okay, to good, to great. By single-handedly building up a neglected yet needed department all by themself is no easy task. Working Broadcasts late in their high school career, yet changing it, setting a high bar for Broadcasting.
We are proud to present this year’s award to Kylan Reid Kaneko.
