Diane Ako, a former island newscaster, has opened her own public relations firm.
Ako was most recently a KHON morning anchor.
“I have been helping friends or volunteer groups with PR needs for years, because being in the media is a natural fit for understanding how to pitch to reporters,” said Ako in a press release Thursday. “People had long asked me how to get their company featured in the news, and I would explain how newsrooms work and how to get writers interested in their story. I have also continuously provided PR for non-profit groups I volunteer with. I find this fulfilling.”
Before Ako worked as a morning anchor for KHON, she anchored and reported at KHNL, WBRE in Pennsylvania, KOB in New Mexico and CTV in the San Francisco Bay Area.
She also served as public relations director/spokeswoman for the Halekulani and Waikiki Parc hotels from 2010 to 2014.
Matson increases deliveries to Samoa
Matson Inc. said Thursday it will deliver cargo more frequently to Samoa and American Samoa after initiating service to the two destinations from Hawaii and the mainland in August.
The Honolulu-based ocean cargo carrier said the frequency of the service it calls South Pacific Express will improve from every 28 days to every 14 days.
Matson said the enhanced service is being made possible by a recent addition of a faster and bigger ship that Matson has christened the MV Samoana.
The Samoana, which can carry the equivalent of 1,103 20-foot containers, replaces the MV Islander, which could carry the equivalent of 844 20-foot-containers.
Uber announces $708M loss in quarter
HONG KONG >> Uber posted a $708 million loss in the most recent quarter and said its head of finance is leaving, the latest executive to depart. It’s been a rough year for the San Francisco company. It lost its head of communications, president and other senior executives in recent months as it faces allegations of sexism and sexual harassment in the workplace.
ON THE MOVE
BEI Hawaii has announced promotion of the following employees:
>> James Saulez to executive vice president and chief operating officer from senior vice president of business development. Saulez has 18 years of experience in leadership and consulting. He joined BEI Hawaii in 2015. Prior positions include managing director of Global Trader and senior enterprise strategy consultant for Microsoft.
>> Scott Taniyama to vice president of purchasing from director of sales for Agriculture & Turf and Ornamental. Taniyama has more than 30 years of combined experience in purchasing, inventory control and sales management. He has been with BEI Hawaii for nine years with prior employment at Fastening Specialty Inc. as manager of purchasing and inventory control.
>> Aaron Pruett to branch manager, Hilo and Kona sales. Pruett has more than 10 years of management, inventory, sales and operations experience, including serving as manager of Hawaiian Sunshine Nursery.
Hawaii Medical College has hired Charis Matsuwaki to be its director of education. Matsuwaki started at the college in 2010 as a Pharmacy Technician Program coordinator before being promoted to director of education.
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