Punahou School’s student newspaper, Ka Punahou, was recognized for excellence at the 2026 Hawaii High School Journalism Awards, earning multiple statewide honors. The publication received Best Website, while sophomore Olesya Noerper ’28 placed second for her original podcast. Freshman Brooke Watari ’29 earned first place in Feature Writing for her article, “The Magic Behind Punahou: Highlighting Custodians and Groundskeeping.”
In her award-winning piece, Watari brings attention to the often-unseen individuals who keep campus running smoothly each day. She invites readers to imagine campus life without custodial and groundskeeping staff – navigating cluttered spaces, damaged grounds and the absence of daily care – underscoring just how essential their work truly is.
Watari’s interest in journalism stems from a long-standing passion for writing and storytelling. “Writing has always been a major outlet of creative expression for me,” she shared. Over time, that passion evolved into a deeper interest in research and reporting, especially in telling meaningful stories about others. Her work reflects a strong sense of curiosity and a desire to highlight people who play vital roles within a larger community.
Her reporting process begins with ideas centered on impact – identifying individuals whose contributions shape the Punahou experience. From there, she conducts interviews, gathers detailed insights and allows what she learns to guide the direction of her writing. “I love asking questions,” she said. “Sometimes what I learn reshapes the entire piece.”
Inspired by values of gratitude and recognition, Watari chose to focus on custodial and groundskeeping staff because of their often-overlooked contributions. Through interviews with campus leaders and staff, she developed a deeper understanding of the scope and importance of their work, ultimately crafting a story that captures both their responsibilities and their impact.
Noerper’s recognition for her podcast further highlights the initiative and creativity of Punahou’s student journalists, demonstrating a commitment to storytelling across multiple platforms.
Together, these achievements reflect the collaborative effort behind Ka Punahou and the strength of its student voices. More importantly, they highlight the power of journalism to elevate stories that might otherwise go unheard, bringing greater appreciation to the people who make the Punahou community what it is.