In this business it is always stunning to learn that someone has chosen to leave one of the plummest of the plum jobs — that of public relations director for the Halekulani Hotel.
"There was a time I thought I might retire here," said Diane Ako of her former position at the luxe hotel. She started 3 1/2 years ago.
"It really was a great job. … I loved it," she said. She spoke glowingly of Patricia Tam, chief executive adviser at Halekulani Corp., whom she described as "an icon in the industry."
"To work for this legend, which she is — internationally — I really did learn a lot from her. I’m very grateful that the bulk of my experience was under this wise mentor," Ako said.
Changing family needs, however, could no longer be juggled with the PR director gig, and family comes first, she said.
The former TV reporter and on-camera talent for Aloha Care commercials is spending time getting family matters squared away but "will be looking eventually" for a new gig, possibly in PR, or "going back into the media is sort of a natural," but she might take an altogether new path, she said.
Ako had started the job in 2010. Before that Erika Kauffman, who now does PR for "Hawaii Five-0," had the job for five years. Before Kauffman it was Joyce Matsumoto, who had served in the position for 16 years.
Haleiwa needs your votes
Haleiwa is in the running and needs your online votes to be chosen the winner among the 10 "Happiest Seaside Towns" in Coastal Living magazine.
The 10 towns are covered in the March issue, currently on newsstands, as well as on the online voting page where our world-renowned surf hamlet, with fun grinds, galleries and boutiques, oh, and beaches, was called "unforgettable."
The magazine’s editors chose this year’s contenders by considering the Gallup-Healthways Well-being index, the number of clear sunny days each year, the healthiness of the beaches, commute times, "walkability," crime rates and other criteria.
The other nine contenders are Bolinas, Calif.; Captiva Island, Fla.; Chincoteague, Va.; Provincetown, Mass.; Saugatuck, Mich.; Scarborough, Maine; St. Augustine, Fla.; St. Simons Island, Ga.; and Watch Hill, R.I.
Noelani Schilling-Wheeler, Oahu Visitors Bureau senior director of sales and marketing, said the North Shore is her favorite getaway destination. Her friend who lives there says, "it’s all about the community. Relaxed, happy neighbors make happy people," which is why Haleiwa should be named the "Happiest Seaside Town" in the U.S., Wheeler relayed.
You can vote every hour through 11:59 p.m. Eastern time March 31 at coastalliving.com/happytowns2014. The top vote-getter will be revealed in the July-August issue of Coastal Living magazine.
On the ‘Net:
www.coastalliving.com/happytowns2014
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Reach Erika Engle at 529-4303, erika@staradvertiser.com or on Twitter as @erikaengle.
