Posted on: Monday, June 21, 2004

Trade Winds

Advertiser Staff

• Elizabeth Johnsen, an expert in national travel trade sales, has been named managing director of travel industry partnerships for the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau. Based on the West Coast, she will work to expand HVCB marketing programs with major travel partners in the North America market, working with travel agencies, wholesalers, cruise lines and online travel partners. During her seven years as vice president of national accounts for Pleasant Holidays, sales more than doubled. She was most recently vice president of marketing for Carlson Wagonlit Travel. She begins July 1.

• Aston Hotels & Resorts Hawaii has announced several new appointments, including new heads of Honolulu Prince and Coral Reef hotels. Earl Nakachi, whose career includes positions at several Aston Neighbor Island properties and as general manager of the Aston Waikiki Grand, has been promoted to general manager of the Honolulu Prince Hotel on Nahua Street. He succeeds Charlotte Caster, who has been named general manager of the Coral Reef Hotel, where Nakachi began his Aston career as rooms division manager. Craig Hayase, a 20-year veteran of visitor industry management — 12 of them as a resort manager — has been named rooms division manager of Maui Kaanapali Villas. He will oversee the front desk, reservations, housekeeping and maintenance operations of the 205-room property on Ka'anapali Beach. Former Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel front office clerk and night auditor, Craig Pfeifer, has been named assistant food and beverage manager. As part of his new responsibilities, he will work with the hotel's "Breakfast on the Beach" project which offers some 1,200 complementary breakfast servings mornings around the pool deck.

• Hilo native Don Morgado, who as catering director for Hawaiian Airlines, translates the menus of noted Maui chef Beverly Gannon into in-flight meals, has earned national recognition. Morgado was recently named to the 2004 President's Roll of Honor at the annual conference of the International In-Flight Catering Service Association and International In-Flight Food Service Association. Morgado oversees catering teams in Honolulu, Maui, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Portland and Las Vegas The recognition comes on the heels of the Conde Nast Traveler 2003 Business Travel Awards in which Hawaiian received the highest marks of all domestic airlines for its in-flight meals and cabin service.

• Tony Boquer, who following a six year tenure at KWHE-TV (Channel 14) left in 1995 to become principal of Holy Family Catholic Academy, has returned to the Christian television station as general manager. He will also oversee the Hawai'i operations of owner, LeSEA Broadcasting.

• Hawaii Medical Service Association has named two new members to its board of directors: Meridith J. Ching, vice president of government and community relations for Alexander & Baldwin Inc.; and Dr. Michael H.T. Sia, chairman of the Department of Pediatrics, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children.

Additionally, Roger J. Wall, vice chairman and chief administrative officer for Foodland Super Market Ltd., was elected HMSA board chairman.

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.