KGMB9 is the only Hawaii television station to win prestigious 2008 Regional Edward R. Morrow Awards this year, which honors outstanding achievements in electronic journalism. Hawaii is in Region 2 that includes California, Guam, Hawaii and Nevada.

The first award goes to the new KGMB9.com, named Best Broadcast-Affiliated Web site. KGMB9.com premiered a brand-new look in September 2007 and has quickly become one of Hawaii's best sources for local news online. KGMB9.com is the only locally developed Hawaii television news Web site.

The next award acknowledges KGMB9's Continuing Coverage of the Hawaii Superferry. From its construction in Alabama and its arrival in Honolulu, to the continuing controversy surrounding the ship’s environmental impact, KGMB9 News reported on every aspect of the Hawaii Superferry in newscasts and in an hour-long local news special.

The third award is for Feature Reporting, acknowledging KGMB9 News Anchor Keahi Tucker and his story, "A Language in Jeopardy." In the piece, Tucker examines the erosion of the Hawaiian Language and how many residents are stripping the meaning of common Hawaiian place names through mispronunciation. This story was the first step in KGMB9's commitment to helping restore and maintain the integrity of the Hawaiian language. In March 2008, KGMB9 began reporting news in the Hawaiian language in a segment called "‘Āha‘i ‘Ōlelo Ola: Messenger of a Living Language," airing weekday mornings on Sunrise on KGMB9.

"The entire KGMB9 News team strives to bring the people of Hawaii the best possible news coverage each day, both on-air and online. It's quite an honor the RTNDA has validated our efforts and a strong reminder that our state’s first television station is still one of the good things about Hawaii," said KGMB9 News Director Chris Archer.

The RTNDA has honored outstanding achievement in electronic journalism with the Murrow Awards since 1971. Radio and television news managers from markets across the country judged the 3,459 regional entries in March.

The RTNDA is the world's largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. It represents local and network news professionals in broadcasting, cable and other electronic media in more than 30 countries.

Click here to download the full press release

Click here for the full list of winners

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