West Oahu Roundup
Here’s a brief look at what some of your neighbors have been up to.
Aiea resident Heidi Lin Kim recently was named 2014 National Young Mother of the Year, an award granted by nonprofit American Mothers Inc. It honors mothers (age 40 and under) who have demonstrated service to their communities, as well as their families.
Kim is a marketing executive at an engineering firm and spends her free time volunteering for organizations such as Move Oahu Forward, March of Dimes and Girl Scouts. She has three children with husband Edwin Sniffen.
Kim accepted her award at the American Mothers Inc. national convention held in April in Colorado. As Young Mother of the Year, she will join American Mothers as an ambassador to help raise awareness of and funds for victims of domestic violence.
Another Aiea resident, Isaac Kosasa, recently was elected vice president of claims at First Insurance Co. of Hawaii by its board of directors. Kosasa began his career with FICOH in 1989 as a senior adjuster. Since then, he has earned several promotions, and most recently was assistant vice president of litigation.
In his new position, Kosasa is responsible for the company’s property, auto, liability, third-party adjusting and workers’ compensation departments.
“During his 25 years at FICOH, Isaac’s claims expertise and quiet but effective leadership have been indispensable to our company,” stated CEO Allen Uyeda. “He embodies the customer mindset, knowledge and experience that have earned FICOH’s local claims service consistently high ratings from our customers.”
Kapolei’s Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii recently named Jerry Pupillo general manager.
For Pupillo, the new position is more of a return home — he was president/general manager of the water park for 10 years when it first opened. More recently, he served as general manager at Sea Life Park Hawaii. In the past, he also was vice president at Best International Marketing Group.
“It’s great to be back to a park we started with the local and visitor community nearly 15 years ago,” stated Pupillo. “Premier Attractions, the current management company, are leaders in the water park and amusement industry. We have exciting plans for the future.”
Waipahu resident Kevin Hall has been appointed vice president and credit-delivery portfolio manager of retail and small-business credit delivery at Central Pacific Bank. He has a master’s degree in business administration from Arizona State University. Prior to joining CPB, he was senior vice president of business development at credit counseling company Take Charge America.
West Oahu Economic Development Association recently announced its 2014-2015 officers and board of directors: president Lee Hopkinson, Pankow Builders; vice president Kristi Hirota-Schmidt, Associa Hawaii; treasurer Greg Sokolowski, Innovative Items; secretary Georgette Stevens, Grace Pacific; and past president Darian Chun, Maryl Group.
They’re joined by members Lee Tokuhara, D.R. Horton Hawaii; Ryson Matsumura, Bank of Hawaii; Karen Gionson, Territorial Savings Bank; Jose Bustamante, Hunt Companies; Rich Hartline, DeBartolo Development; and Chris Lee, Y Hata.
The association brings business, community and government leaders together to support economic growth in West Oahu. The group advocates for area job development and awareness about the area’s business activity.
“Our guiding vision for the next three years will be to connect communities by providing valuable resources for businesses to succeed,” stated Hopkinson.
“I am looking forward to serving our membership, which includes more than 100 companies with direct interests in West Oahu.”
