Business Leaders On The Move In Hawaii
May 28, 2008
By Alana Folen
Kathy Kawashige has been promoted to general manager of Alan Wong’s Restaurant. Kawashige has been a manager with the restaurant for more than five years and most recently served as restaurant manager. She has extensive experience in the hospitality industry, formerly working for The Kahala Hotel.
Krislyn Hashimoto has been elected as a director for the Hawaii Youth Symphony. Hashimoto is an account executive for the travel division at Stryker Weiner & Yokota Public Relations Inc. She also services Hawaii Tourism Authority, Starwood Vacation Ownership, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, NCL America and U.S. Dry Cleaning Corporation.
Kyle Yonashiro has been named executive chef for Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Restaurant Row. Yonashiro was formerly the executive chef at Lulu’s Waikiki, as well as sous chef at the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui and Aqua Restaurant, among others.
Jamie Story has been appointed president of Grassroot Institute of Hawaii (GRIH), a non-profit group leading in research and public policy dedicated to personal liberty, government accountability and citizen involvement. Prior to joining GRIH, Story served as an education policy analyst with the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Alissa Kimura has been promoted to vice president of the Honolulu Division of AXA Advisors LLC. Kimura has been with the company since 2002, and was recently promoted to branch management earlier this year. As vice president, she will focus on recruiting, training and developing individuals who wish to build careers as entrepreneurial financial professionals. She also will work with individuals and business owners to help them reach their financial goals.
Les Honda has been hired as director of guest experiences for Roberts Hawaii. Honda has more than 30 years’experience in client and customer services. His responsibilities include creating and identifying offerings that will successfully provide guests with memorable experiences. Prior to joining Roberts Hawaii he spent 16 years in advertising as a designer/illustrator and art director.
Brian T. Shibata has been hired as manager of design and construction for Pacific Office Properties Trust Inc. - Honolulu operations. With nearly 12 years of experience in the architectural field in the Honolulu market, he will oversee property redevelopment projects and space planning and design for tenant improvements.
Terry Peacock has been appointed director of marketing and referral development for Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific. In this position, Peacock’s responsibilities include overseeing public relations, advertising and building collaborative relations with referring physicians and hospitals for all of REHAB’s services. She previously was director of marketing at Kahala Nui Senior Living Community.
Alisa Onishi has been hired as marketing manager for Mobi PCS. Onishi’s duties include developing, managing and overseeing strategic marketing initiatives for events, promotions, sponsorships and public relations. She most recently served as marketing communications, retail and affiliates manager for Hawaiian Telcom.
Laura Hayakawa has been named account manager for ProService Hawaii. In this position, she will lead a team of payroll, benefits and HR specialists to ensure quality service to their clients. Hayakawa was previously a senior human resources consultant for Bearing Point’s Asia Pacific region.