The Honolulu Star-Advertiser is expanding its digital operation, staradvertiser.com and Star-Advertiser mobile applications. As part of this expansion, the Star-Advertiser has created a new position — digital editor — to oversee the expansion and hired two additional online content producers. The new hires are part of the Star-Advertiser’s push to be everywhere its readers are, including third-party mobile platforms and the Web.

Laurie Kawakami, the new digital editor, spent seven of the past eight years at The New York Times, in its New York office. In her most recent position at the Times, she was senior staff editor of a team that edited breaking news and multimedia for the Web. In that position, Kawakami worked with reporters and editors to edit and produce news across multiple platforms. She also managed the training/teaching of Web producers and testing of new digital editing tools.

Kawakami, a graduate of Mililani High School, received both her B.A. in communication and business administration and her M.A. in journalism from the University of Southern California.

"We have seen substantial growth in our online readership year-over-year," said Dennis Francis, president and publisher of the Star-Advertiser. "We are committed to reaching our readers where they want to access our breaking news and premium content. Laurie brings the skills and background necessary to substantially enhance our digital operation as we innovate and continue to expand our digital product offerings, both on the Web and through our mobile applications."

Kawakami will report to Frank Bridgewater, vice president and editor of the Star-Advertiser.