Takayama moves to his new position from the John A. Burns School of Medicine where he has served as Director of Public Relations since August 2005.

"We are pleased that someone with Gregg's broad experience in media and public affairs can continue his communications work with UH Manoa," interim Chancellor Denise Konan said in a news release. "Manoa's community outreach, marketing and communications efforts are important as the campus serves our state, our students and alumni."

While attending UH Manoa, Takayama was a reporter for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Following graduation in 1978, he served for 13 years as press secretary to U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye in Washington, D.C. From 1992-1997, he was spokesman for the State of Hawai'i Department of Public Safety and for Lt. Gov. Ben Cayetano.