Big Island Press Club announces 2026 scholarship winners

Big Island Press Club announced its 2026 scholarship recipients May 28 during its annual Scholarship Dinner Reception at Hilo Yacht Club.

Rianne Angelique Kealohaokalani Kalama Empaynado was awarded $1,500 and Mari Iwata received $1,000.

Empaynado is a Hilo High School alumna and freshman at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo majoring in Communications.

Her passion for digital media manifested throughout her school career through contributions to KVIKS Spotlight, Hilo High School Yearbook, Ke Kalahea and several award-winning public service announcement animations, including Ōlelo Youth XChange 2024, Nā Leo Youth Challenge and SHOOTS Hawaiʻi 2024–2025.

Empaynado also led KVIKS Media, Hilo High School’s communications and creative media program, for two consecutive years, developing technical and leadership skills.

“The Big Island Press Club scholarship has been a tremendous help in supporting my college education,” she said in a release. “As a communications major focused on graphic design and creative media, this scholarship helps me pursue my goal of funding my education through scholarships and my own work while continuing to use storytelling and communication to serve my community.”

Iwata is a Waiākea High School alumna pursuing screenwriting at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

“I took a big leap to pursue my passion, but I knew my real purpose was storytelling,” Iwata noted in a previously submitted biography. “Being awarded the Big Island Press Club scholarship has helped fund my journey through college as a screenwriter. It ensures that the insider voice is heard and something worth writing for.”

Special thank you to Daniel Ikaika Ito, Hilo-born kānaka maoli surf journalist and communications and marketing professional, who delivered the keynote address during the scholarship dinner reception.

Visit the Big Island Press Club website for additional information about the club and its mission.