Hawaiian Host Inc., manufacturer of Hawaiian Host Chocolates, yesterday announced the promotion of Mark Yamada to vice president and chief financial officer.

Yamada previously served as controller and director of finance and he will continue overseeing all finance and accounting aspects of Hawaiian Host.

"Mark's business experience and professionalism have proven to be a great asset to the company," said Keith Sakamoto, president of Hawaiian Host. "He has a strong work ethic that is exemplified in his high quality of work," he added.

Yamada joined Hawaiian Host in February 2007. Before that, Yamada most recently served as director of finance and administration at Gemini Mobile Technologies Inc. where he was responsible for managing all financial and administrative issues related to the company's Japan, China and United Kingdom subsidiaries.

His background also includes serving as managing director of Vodafone Group PLC's Japan Finance Group where he advised executive management members on Japanese business and cultural issues.

Yamada received his bachelor of arts in economics-accounting and mathematics from Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, Calif.

Hawaiian Host Inc. is the manufacturer of Hawai'i's original chocolate-covered maca-damias. Mamoru Takitani purchased Ellen Dye Candies, a local confectioner since 1927, and renamed the company Hawaiian Host.