UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I-WEST O'AHU

In response to a growing student body, University of Hawai'i-West O'ahu recently expanded its Student Services Department to include seven new team members.

Kelly Ching joined the department as student services specialist/academic adviser. His responsibilities include academic advising, transcript evaluation, assisting with financial aid information as well as special event planning for campus orientations, workshops and receptions.

Julia Dela Sierra joined UH-West O'ahu as student services specialist. Her responsibilities include processing admission applications as well as updating student records.

Mei Li Kinney joined the UH-West O'ahu Student Services Department as admissions specialist, where her major responsibilities include developing an outreach plan that responds to the needs of prospective students in the West O'ahu community.

Margaret Ledward recently joined the UH-West O'ahu team as freshman academic adviser. Her responsibilities include academic advising and assisting with admissions, career and financial aid information for new freshman students.

Craig Morimoto joined the UH-West O'ahu team as admissions specialist and is responsible for coordinating, planning and participating in various outreach activities to attract new students as well as work with faculty, staff, alumni, high school and community college students to coordinate recruitment efforts.

LeeAnne Santos joined UH-West O'ahu as distance learning adviser. Her responsibilities include academic advising for the university's distance learning programs and working with the University and Education Centers on the Neighbor Islands, as well as transcript evaluation and assisting with financial aid information.

Kekoa Simpson joined the department as office manager and is responsible for student record updates, processing transcript requests, education verifications and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the department.

KING & NEEL INC.

King & Neel Inc. recently promoted Maria Minkel to vice president from her previous position as assistant vice president/bond manager. Minkel started her career in surety bonding nearly 25 years ago at Seaboard Surety Co. in Honolulu as an administrative assistant. Her background also includes working in the bond departments of large companies such as Marsh & McLennan Companies and Aon Risk Services before joining King & Neel as bond manager in 1999.

THE QUEEN'S MEDICAL CENTER

GERARD AKAKA, M.D., has been named vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer of The Queen's Medical Center. He had been serving as interim chief medical officer since July 2007 after the retirement of then-CMO Dr. Richard Friedman. According to medical center president Art Ushijima, Akaka has worked diligently with medical staff to support patient-care needs in a way that assures highest quality care. Akaka joined Queen's in 2002 as medical director of the Queen Emma Clinics. Previously, he served as medical director of the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. He also is medical director of the Queen's Native Hawaiian Health Program.

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