November 2025 Gleanings

Torch of Light ticket deadline Dec. 5

Our annual Torch of Light luncheon is headed to Pahala, where we'll honor the late Julia Neal, founder of Ka'u's community newspaper. We'll also hear all about news deserts and what we can to do about it from Civil Beat's Amy Pyle.

Also, we're auctioning off some stellar prizes, including resort stays, whale watches and more! Read on for all the details.

 BIPC Board Director Maya-Lin Green attended the Society of Professional Journalists/College Media Association convention in Washington D.C. and she provides a report.

Don't forget to pay your dues! You can pay by credit card on our website or send a check to the address above. Mahalo!

Have news to share? Email Gleanings editor Nancy Cook Lauer at nclauer@gmail.com

Message from the President

This is my final correspondence as president. I served for a year and a half, and it is time for a new steersman for our wa’a. 

I hope to see many of you at our Torch of Light Luncheon in Pahala on Dec. 13. Just remember, if we want to keep our club viable, we need to ensure that we have volunteers! Thanks to those of you agreeing to serve in 2026. It means a lot to leave our club’s board in good hands. 
Aloha, everyone. 

Tiffany Edwards Hunt

Report from Washington

By Maya-Lin Green

Being in D.C. during the government shutdown felt surreal.

The day journalists walked out of the Pentagon in protest of new media restrictions happened to be the first day of MediaFest 25 — the nation’s largest media convention for college students and professionals. A conference that I had planned to attend months in advance, not knowing the political climate we'd be in when the time to fly from Hawaii Island to D.C. arrived. 

Throughout the conference, I gained valuable insights on editorial excellence and the future of journalism from Dean Baquet, former editor-in-chief of The New York Times (2014–2022). I spoke with Nikole Hannah-Jones, the Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, esteemed Howard University professor, and founder of The 1619 Project. I also learned from award-winning photojournalists at The Washington Post about the power of visuals in storytelling and the importance of connecting across political divides.

Being surrounded by passionate students, seasoned journalists, and media professionals who are deeply committed to freedom of the press and ethical reporting reaffirmed my commitment to a career in media relations and communications.

As I prepare to graduate from the University of Hawaii at Hilo this semester and enter graduate school, I’m excited to continue learning from leaders in media and communications and explore how strategic communications can inspire impact and action.

Join us for our Torch of Light luncheon

For more than two decades Julia Neal dedicated herself to provide accurate, timely and substantive news about Kaʻu. The Big Island Press Club dedicated its annual meritorious Torch of Light Award to Neal shortly after her death.

That's why BIPC chose Pahala as the site for its luncheon this year. 

Munch on a local plate lunch dinner, chat with Julia's friends and family and fellow journalism supporters and learn how residents are addressing their loss by rebuilding the newspaper as a nonprofit.

Guest speaker Amy Pyle, Executive Editor-In-Chief for Honolulu Civil Beat, will discuss news deserts and how the online nonprofit plans to address them.

Bid on fabulous items and support young journalists

We're raising money for scholarships, and we've great items to bid on. Bid online using the link or QR code. 

Bidding closes 8 a.m. Dec. 12.

Mahalo for your kokua!

2025 Big Island Press Club Board

Please feel free to contact any board members with your suggestions, or if you wish to volunteer!

President: Tiffany Edwards Hunt, former journalist, middle school teacher
newswoman@mac.com
Vice President: Jim Wilson, retired publisher, Hawaii Tribune-Herald jimwilsonvolcanocottage@gmail.com
Secretary: Nancy Cook Lauer, retired journalist, UHH student publications advisor, blogger www.allhawaiinews.com <nclauer@gmail.com>
Treasurer: Robert Duerr, filmmaker and journalist, Hawaii Fishing News <surf77@me.com>
Immediate Past President: John Burnett, journalist, Tribune-Herald <jburnett@hawaiitribuneherald.com>
Director: Patsy Iwasaki, professor, University of Hawaii-Hilo
<piwasaki@hawaii.edu>
Director: John Atwell, former CIA Senior Operations Officer, columnist, editor  <jno.p.atwell@gmail.com>
Director: Maya-Lin Green, education and communications team member, Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center <mlgreen@hawaii.edu>
Director: Megan Moseley, journalist, reporter for Maui News <info@meganmoseley.com>
Director Emeritus: Ross Wilson, PR, Current Events rossw@current-events.com