Trade Winds

Advertiser Staff

• CHRISTOPHER J. BENJAMIN has been tapped to become chief financial officer of locally based Alexander & Baldwin Inc. He is currently vice president, corporate development and planning.

Also promoted were THOMAS A. WELLMAN, controller and treasurer, and CHARLES W. LOOMIS, associate general counsel. The company includes subsidiaries in real property development and management (A&B Properties Inc.), transportation (Matson Navigation Co. Inc. and Matson Integrated Logistics Inc.) and food products (Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. and Kauai Coffee Co. Inc.).

• MARK J. AHN, a Pearl City High School and Chaminade University graduate, has been named president and chief executive officer of Hudson Health Sciences Inc., a South San Francisco, Calif., biopharmaceutical company.

The company focuses on acquiring, developing and commercializing medical products to treat cancer, immunological diseases and other conditions. Prior to joining Hudson, Ahn was vice president, hematology, at Genetech Inc.

• PHIL FONG, a veteran of several local prominent companies, has been named chief operating officer of the Hawai'i handbag and accessories manufacturer Sunny Hawaii. He will oversee a wide range of daily operations, including finance, forecasting, human resources, administration, systems distribution, inventory control and customer service.

Fong's quarter-century of experience in accounting, financial analysis and operations includes stints with McInerny Hawaii, Liberty House, DFS Corporate and DFS Hawaii. He is also director and treasurer of Na Loio (The Lawyers) — Immigrant Rights and Public Interest Legal Center.

• DARREN KONNO, a Maui guest services and convention/catering veteran, has been named sales manager of the Hard Rock Cafe Maui, overseeing group parties and events, weddings and community relations.

Previously, he was marketing director of the Lahaina Cannery Mall, under CB Richard Ellis Hawaii Inc. and Hawaii Omori Corp., and is a past conference services manager for The Westin Maui. Hard Rock Cafe Maui is in the Lahaina Center on Front Street.

• First Hawaiian Bank has announced a promotion and several appointments:

• CHRISTOPHER BORDEN, promoted to assistant vice president and portfolio manager of Bishop Street Capital Management, the bank's money-management subsidiary.
• MILTON K. ASANO, appointed to assistant vice president, audit division.
• L. KAY GUFFY, appointed business banking officer, Kona branch.
• IRIS M. YONEDA IWANA, appointed business banking officer, Main Banking Center.
• DIANA P. WEHRLY, appointed senior equity analyst, Bishop Street Capital Management.

• GERALD CROW, a 15-year veteran and recent acting curator of the Waikiki Aquarium, has been named curator of the aquarium's live exhibits department. Other positions he has held include supervisor and research associate, as well as senior aquarist for Sea World of Florida. Crow is co-author of "Sharks and Rays of Hawai'i."

• Hawaiian Host Inc., a manufacturer of chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, has announced three internal promotions: NORMAN KUKINO, promoted to vice president of sales from sales manager; DWIGHT HARANO, promoted to sales associate from merchandising clerk, sales department; and PENNYLANE CABREROS, promoted to customer-service representative from production packer.

Announcements of promotions and job changes can be sent to: Trade Winds, Business Section, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; faxed to 525-6763, or e-mailed to business@honoluluadvertiser.com. Photographs may be included, but must be identified on the back.