Congratulations to Reid Hinaga, BBA ’06, for being honored in Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40 Class of 2022 for his demonstration of business excellence, contributions to his organization and strong community involvement. Hinaga currently is the retail delivery senior regional manager at Hawaii state Federal Credit Union and also serves on the Shidler Alumni Association board.

Ngoc Nguyen, BBA ’05, MBA ’11, has been chosen for the 2022-2023 Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance cohort. Nguyen currently serves as director of strategic finance at Hawaiian Telcom.

Del Mochizuki, BBA ’00, has been promoted to director of finance and human resources at UHA Health Insurance. In her elevated role, Mochizuki oversees all financial and human resources activities for the organization and works with the executive leadership team to establish objectives and policies. She has been with the company for more than seven years and most recently served as controller.

Kanani Miyahira, MBA ‘00, has been promoted to first vice president and wealth advisor at American Savings Investment Services. With over 25 years of expertise, she provides clients with personalized services to meet their financial goals while also offering portfolio management advice. 

Katie Mettler, BBA ‘02, has been promoted to vice president and senior wealth advisor at First Hawaiian Bank. As a Certified Financial Planner since 2012 and with over 18 years of financial services experience, Mettler guides her private banking clients to achieve their financial wellness objectives by creating a financial plan that will help them reach their long term goals including retirement, investments and estate planning.

Kylie Matsuda-Lum, BS ‘01, was awarded Hawaii Venture Capital Association’s Agriculture/Clean Tech Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2023 Hawaii Entrepreneur Awards. Lum and her husband, Judah, are co-founders of Kahuku Farms. This award honors their company’s ability to enhance clean technology to help create a greener future through  innovative agricultural practices.  

Gavin Masuda, BBA ’05, was named to the prestigious 40 Under 40 honor roll list, which is published by The Daily Journal in California. This list celebrates California-based lawyers who are making significant contributions to the field. Masuda works as a partner at Latham & Watkins in San Francisco.

Congratulations to Michelle Leon-Guerrero, BS ’07, MHRM ’09, for being named to Pacific Business News’ 2023 Women Who Mean Business. Leon-Guerrero was recognized for her stellar contributions to their businesses, industries and communities.

Michelle Leon-Guerrero, BS ‘07, MHRM ‘09, has been promoted to chief administrative officer at Hawaiian Host Group (HHG). In this elevated leadership role, Leon-Guerrero will oversee the company’s Talent Management, Operations, Customer Care and Warehouse departments. Leon-Guerrero previously served as VP of talent management.

Su Lazo, BBA ‘06, had been appointed director of career development for the Hiapo program at Purple Mai’a. In her new role, she provides students with career counseling, prepares graduates for their job search and builds a network of local employers committed to hiring locally.

Grant Kubota, BBA ’99, MBA ’05, has been named to Forbes magazine’s 2021 list of America’s Best-in-State Wealth Advisors. Kubota is a vice president and financial advisor at Morgan Stanley, where he has worked for 15 years. He was recognized with this honor for his superb wealth management services and his commitment to his clients and company.

Jeffrey Kao, BBA ’02, MBA ’06, has been appointed partner and financial adviser at HIPac Financial. In his role, he provides innovative financial planning services to assist retirees, pre retirees, young families, state and federal employees, and business owners to grow and protect their wealth. Kao also is the cofounder of Sweet Creams, the first ice cream roll shop in Hawaiʻi.

Bernadette Kaneshiro, BBA ’08, has been promoted to assistant vice president & private banking mortgage loan officer at First Hawaiian Bank. In her role, she is responsible for generating residential mortgage loan production through various network referral sources, developer projects and bank resources. 

Pacific Business News honored women leaders and news-makers in its 23rd Annual Women Who Mean Business. Congratulations to Pamela Nitta, MBA ’06 for being named to the list for demonstrating a commitment to community service and for her leadership skills.

Congratulations to AJ Halagao, MBA ’04, for being named to Hawaii Business Magazine’s 20 for the Next 20. This annual list highlights 20 individuals whose talents, accomplishments and potential set them apart as emerging leaders of Hawaiʻi into the next two decades.

Congratulations, Nicole Galase, BBA ‘09, for being selected for Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40: Class of 2021! 

Galase was named to the annual list through a competitive nomination process based on demonstration of business excellence, contribution to the overall success of her organization and community involvement. 

Jason Domingo, MHRM ’07, was named a recipient of the McDonald’s Presidents’ Award, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of the top 1% of McDonald’s corporate, segment and market staff globally. Domingo was selected as a high-achieving individual who, by living the McDonald’s values each and every day, also inspires and enables those around him to deliver better results. 

Ian Clagstone, BBA ’07, has been named CEO of SC Capital LLC. In this leadership role, he leads the company’s efforts to acquire multifamily apartment buildings, office, retail and industrial properties in Hawai‘i. Clagstone is also the president and co-founder at Standard Commercial LLC, SC Capital’s sister company.

Kristi Chun, BBA ’06, has been appointed partner and financial advisor with Eagle Strategies LLC, A Registered Investment Advisor and a New York Life company. She is also a Principal at HIPAC Financial, LLC. She provides premium financial services to her clients through continued education, up-to-date product knowledge and the development of strategic industry relationships. Chun was named one of Forbes “Top Best-in-State Financial Security Professionals” in 2024.”*

*Neither SHOOK nor Forbes receives any compensation in exchange for placement on its Top Financial Security Professional (FSP) rankings (including the Best-In-State Financial Security Professional rankings), which are determined independently. FSP refers to professionals who are properly licensed to sell life insurance and annuities. FSPs may also hold other credentials and licenses which would allow them to offer investments and securities products through those licenses. Investment performance is not a criterion. SHOOK's research and rankings provide opinions intended to help individuals choose the right FSP and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client's experience. You can find the full methodology here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rjshook/2024/07/10/methodology-americas-top-financial-security-professionals-2024/

HIPAC Financial is not owned or operated by Eagle Strategies of any of its affiliates. 733Bishop Street, Ste 2200 Honolulu HI 96813-3914. 808-529-6300.

Daniel Chun, BS ‘02, was named the Alaska Airlines corporate honoree for the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation’s Kūlia I Ka Nu‘u awards banquet. As a public school graduate, Chun was recognized for his contributions to the business community as well as his dedication to improving education opportunities for future generations.

Sara Cheuk, MBA ’00, has been promoted to executive officer at the PolyU Academy for Research Institute of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. In this elevated role, Cheuk is responsible for enhancing the visibility and repetition of the university, where she has worked for the past 16 years. Cheuk most recently served as an assistant manager in Alumni Affairs.

Landon Beers, BBA ‘07, has been promoted to managing director at Deloitte & Touche LLP’s Honolulu audit practice, where he leads audit engagements in  banking, technology, retail and hospitality practices. Beers also serves as treasurer for the Shidler Alumni Association.

Pacific Business News honored women leaders and news-makers in its 23rd Annual Women Who Mean Business. Congratulations to Kawena Beaupre, BBA ’00 for being named to the list for demonstrating a commitment to community service and for her leadership skills.

Congratulations to Jennifer Barrett Fajarado, EMBA ’07, for being named to Pacific Business News’ 2023 Women Who Mean Business. Barrett Fajarado was recognized for her stellar contributions to their businesses, industries and communities.

Congratulations, Dr. Pokiʻi Balaz, EMBA ’20, for being selected for Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40: Class of 2021!

Balaz was named to the annual list through a competitive nomination process based on demonstration of business excellence, contribution to the overall success of her organization and community involvement.