Announcements

Anthology Finn Partners Leads 2026 AAF Hawai‘i Pele Awards With 19 Wins

May 19, 2026

Anthology FINN Partners was honored with 19 awards at the American Advertising Federation Hawai‘i’s 2026 Pele Awards – the most of any entrant in the competition. The total included nine awards in the Pele’s prestigious Gold Award category and two Judge’s Awards. In addition, Anthology FINN Partners’ own Mei Jeanne Wagner was recognized with one of the Pele Awards’ highest individual professional honors, Ad Woman of the Year for 2026.

Anthology FINN Partners’ work for the West O‘ahu-based Mālama Learning Center, including the nonprofit’s “Footsteps” and “Roots” campaign, earned an impressive 14 total awards, including nine Gold Awards in categories ranging from public service television, poster and overall campaign to cinematography, editing and design. Additional honors included two Judges’ Choice Awards.

Pele Awards for Anthology FINN Partners' work with National Tropical Botanical Gardens, the Hawai‘i State Department of Health and self-promotion projects were awarded in Gold, Silver and Bronze award categories as well.

Anthology FINN Partners vice president Mei Jeanne Wagner was named 2026 AAF Hawai‘i Ad Woman of the Year for her career-long work, advocacy, leadership and contributions to the state’s advertising community.

Kamehameha Schools and Anthology FINN Partners accepts award for work on Windward Mall

The Pele Awards annually recognize the year’s best work in Hawai‘i’s advertising and design community from agencies, in-house teams and student creatives. The 2026 Pele Awards recognized a total of 87 winners across 49 award categories.

“We’re proud that the work we were recognized for at this year’s Pele Awards was created with heart and a commitment to Hawai‘i’s communities, culture and future,” said Dennis Christianson, managing partner of Anthology FINN Partners. “We’re deeply grateful to our clients and collaborators for trusting us and doing meaningful work across the Islands, and proud of our team for bringing creativity, empathy and excellence to every project. We’re also thrilled to celebrate Mei Jeanne Wagner’s well-deserved recognition as Ad Woman of the Year.”

Spanning more than 40 years, the AAF Hawai‘i Chapter’s Pele Awards is one of 15 National District Competitions for the American Advertising Awards, also known as the ADDYs. All Pele Awards Gold category winners this year – Anthology FINN Partners’ nine Gold winners included – will move forward to compete in the 2026 National Finals of the American Advertising Awards Competition, set for May 29 in Austin, Texas.

Anthology FINN Partners 19 awards at the 2026 Pele Awards ceremony were:

GOLD AWARDS

  • “Public Service: Integrated Media Public Service Campaign” for Mālama Learning Center
  • “Public Service: Public Service TV Campaign” for Mālama Learning Center
  • “Public Service: Public Service Television” for Mālama Learning Center
  • “Public Service: Public Service Poster Campaign” for Mālama Learning Center
  • “Public Service: Public Service Poster” for Mālama Learning Center
  • “Elements of Advertising: Cinematography – Campaign” for Mālama Learning Center
  • “Elements of Advertising: Video Editing” for Mālama Learning Center
  • “Elements of Advertising: Sound Design – Campaign” for Mālama Learning Center
  • “Elements of Advertising: Logo Design” for National Tropical Botanical Gardens

SILVER AWARDS

  • “Public Service: Public Service Poster” for Mālama Learning Center
  • “Public Service: Public Service Television” for Mālama Learning Center
  • “Elements of Advertising: Voiceover Talent” for Mālama Learning Center
  • “Elements of Advertising: Art Director – Single” for Wahine Wave Poster
  • “Advertising Industry Self-Promotion: Special Event Materials” for Wahine Wave Poster
  • “Online/Interactive: Social Media Campaign” for Hawai‘i State Department of Health

BRONZE AWARDS

  • “Elements of Advertising: Art Direction – Campaign” for Mālama Learning Center
  • “Cross Platform: Integrated Branded Content Campaign” for National Tropical Botanical Gardens

JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARDS

  • From Pele Awards judge Rob Slosberg for Mālama Learning Center Public Service Television
  • From Pele Awards judge Chris Turner for Mālama Learning Center Public Service Poster Campaign

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

  • Ad Woman of the Year – Mei Jeanne Wagner, Vice President Account Services

For more information on AAF Hawai‘i’s Pele Awards, visit www.winners.peleawards.com.