Posted on: Monday, November 8, 2004

Trade Winds

Advertiser Staff

• The law firm of Koshiba Agena and Kubota announced that NEAL AOKI, LISA ANNE GRUEBNER and CHARLES PRICE have been made partners. Price will be taking charge of a new Kapolei office.

• LAUREN INAKE has joined Shooter's Film Production as a production coordinator and office manager. Before joining Shooters, she worked at PBS Hawaii as a production technician and technical director.

• Atlantis Adventures has announced that FUJIO INA has joined the company in the position of sales manager — Asia.

Ina is responsible for selling and promoting the company's products for its three Hawai'i attractions — Atlantis Submarines, Atlantis Cruises and Sea Life Park Hawaii — to Asian travelers, with an emphasis on markets in Japan, China and Korea.

• First Hawaiian Bank's CEO and chairman, Walter Dods Jr., has announced the following officer appointments: CLIFFORD BALMILERO, vice president, Asset Lending Department; MARILYN KUNITAKE, assistant vice president, Real Estate Underwriting Department; DAVID YAMAFUJI, assistant vice president, Commercial Card Department; ADDIE LUI, assistant vice president and IT auditor, Audit Division; TINA ROBACK, personal banking officer, Kane'ohe Branch; CLARENCE WAIALEALE, business systems officer, Trust Systems, Account and Controls Department.

• JAY KANESHIRO has been named a manager at Ruth's Chris Steak House in Restaurant Row. Kaneshiro began his career in the restaurant industry as a busboy at Ruth's Chris in 1997. In 2002, he joined Ryan's Grill in Ward Centre, serving as dinner manager, bar manager and ultimately, lunch manager.

• ROBERTA "BOBBIE" KAMAKAWIWO'OLE has been appointed rooms division manager of Aston at Papakea Resort. She will oversee the resort's front desk, reservations, housekeeping and maintenance operations.

Other Aston appointments include:

• ERIC NELSON to the position of decision science analyst. He will collect and analyze sales and marketing information and prepare reports, publications, proposals and presentation based on the data.
• TULINH LUCIANO-DESMITH as sales manager of Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel. She will complement the hotel's sales team efforts in the domestic U.S. Mainland market with a focus on increasing group and leisure business.
• BERNARD TAN as director of decision science and revenue management. He will oversee the call center and electronic distribution associated with it. He also will coordinate and develop business intelligence capabilities. He will direct the revenue management team.
• SISILIA "LIA" TAUELANGI to front office manager of the Aston Waikiki Hotel. She will oversee front office operations and customer service and manage a staff of 19 people.

• Maui Divers Jewelry has promoted SAVINA WENDIN to regional sales manager. She will oversee sales efforts on Maui and Kaua'i, as well as assist with special projects.