Congratulations, Colette Masunaga, MBA ’20, for being selected for Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40: Class of 2021! 

Masunaga 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. 

Kent Le, BBA ‘21, has been hired as development associate at East-West Center. In this position, he oversees gift administration and stewardship of donor relations. He also assists with organizing and implementing social media campaigns.

Kyle Kinman, MBA ’19, MAcc ’21, and Tiffany Yoshida, MBA ‘19 were engaged in July 2021 and married on Nov. 14.

Congratulations, Valerie Lam, MBA ‘20, for being sworn into the Honolulu County Committee on the Status of Women in August 2021. Lam was appointed by Mayor Rick Blangiardi based on her interest, knowledge and ability to advance the status of women in the county. The committee recognizes contributions by women, assesses changes in women’s status, and promotes equality of the sexes. They also work closely with city agencies to eliminate sex discrimination and provide support to affirmative action programs.

Hae-Dong Lee, MBA ’20, has been promoted to principal at Bowers + Kubota. In his elevated role, Lee oversees the architectural and electrical design group along with managing various government agencies.

Samuel Hoffer, BBA ‘21, has been promoted to marketing manager at Honolulu-based startup TurnoverBnB. In his elevated role, Hoffer is responsible for various marketing initiatives such as social media management, product marketing, and video production.

Macey Chinen, BBA ‘20, has been promoted to human resources manager at Grace Pacific LLC. She is responsible for benefits administration and leave management while continuing to provide support to other HR functions. Chinen previously served as the company’s human resources coordinator.

Kapilialoha Kidder, BBA ’20, has been appointed asset management secretary for the State of Hawaii’s Hawaii Community Development Authority.

Kylie Butts, BBA ‘21, has been promoted to account executive at Anthology Marketing Group, a FINN Partners Company. In her elevated role, she serves as the primary contact for clients, provides public relations and communications recommendations, and ensures all client needs are met. 

Mia Pimentel, BBA ‘21, has been hired as content marketing associate at Honolulu-based startup TurnoverBnB. In her new role, Pimentel produces written and video content that can be used across multiple digital media platforms for TurnoverBnB’s global audience.

Congratulations, Colette Masunaga, MBA ’20, for being sworn into the Honolulu County Committee on the Status of Women in August 2021. Masunaga was appointed by Mayor Rick Blangiardi based on her interest, knowledge and ability to advance the status of women in the county. The committee recognizes contributions by women, assesses changes in women’s status, and promotes equality of the sexes. They also work closely with city agencies to eliminate sex discrimination and provide support to affirmative action programs.

Congratulations, Kristen Konishi, MBA ’20, for being sworn into the Honolulu County Committee on the Status of Women in August 2021. Konishi was appointed by Mayor Rick Blangiardi based on her interest, knowledge and ability to advance the status of women in the county. The committee recognizes contributions by women, assesses changes in women’s status, and promotes equality of the sexes. They also work closely with city agencies to eliminate sex discrimination and provide support to affirmative action programs.

Tammy Lee, EMBA ’21, is now an assistant development manager at Hunt Development Group. In her role, she assists with planning and development needs for the company’s 530 acres of land in West Oahu. Lee previously served as the marketing manager for AHL.

Kayla Bisquera, BBA ‘21 has been hired as digital marketing coordinator at Honolulu-based startup TurnoverBnB. In her role, Bisquera develops various digital marketing materials across multiple channels, and oversees marketing campaigns. Additionally, she curates creative written and video content and manages TurnoverBnB social media accounts.

Angela Rush, BBA ‘22, has been hired as content marketing associate at Honolulu-based startup TurnoverBnB. In her new role, Rush produces written and video content that can be used across multiple digital media platforms for TurnoverBnB’s global audience.

Justin Puckett, MBA ’21, has been named Hawaii market leader at Humana. In this role, he is responsible for the development, expansion and management of the company’s business presence and success in Hawaii. He also plays a key role in working with local providers. Prior to his current role, Puckett served as director of value-based care transformation and performance at Hawaii Pacific Health.

Valerie Lam, MBA ’20, is now the community & employee engagement manager at the Bank of Hawaii and Bank of Hawaii Foundation. In this role, she is responsible for the planning, development and execution of marketing and communications programs to advance BOH employee, community and philanthropic goals and objectives. Lam previously served as the business development coordinator at local nonprofit, Pacific Gateway Center.

Gregory Barajas, BBA ’20, has been named as staff auditor at Porter & Lasiewicz, CPAs in California. 

Poki’i Balaz, EMBA ’20, has been selected as an Obama Foundation Scholar and is the first from Hawaiʻi to be selected, since the program’s 2018 inception. Through an immersive curriculum, the prestigious program provides rising leaders who are already making a difference in their communities with the opportunity to take their work to the next level.⁠

Christian Bowman, MBA ’22, has been named chief marketing officer and production manager at Sight and Sounds Productions and Island Sound Studios. In his new role, he will use his branding, advertising and narrative expertise to expand the two companies, while also continuing his duties as production manager. 
 

Mackenzie Plunkett, BBA ‘22, has been named specialty sales executive team leader for Target Corporation. She is responsible for overseeing scheduling, hiring, planning of merchandising, replenishment of the sales floor; as well as the pricing workload of the apparel and accessories, beauty, home decor and electronics departments at the new Windward Mall location.

Congratulations to Dr. Pok‘i Balaz, EMBA ‘20 for being selected for the 6th cohort of the Patsy Mink Leadership Alliance in August 2021. The program is designed for emerging women leaders to develop management skills in order to advance their personal growth, professional impact and community change.

Vinka Boediman, BS ’21, has been appointed as an office administrator/design manager at Gourmet Events Hawaii.

Rose Wong, BBA ’20, was crowned Miss Waikiki 2023. In June 2023, Wong went on to compete for the title of Miss Hawaii 2023. For her talent, she introduced the first-ever “HERStory,” a 90-second “Ted Talk” about her jewelry business, Kolohe.