Kim Gennaula, KGMB9 news co-anchor, is leaving to become director of philanthropy at Kapi'olani Health Foundation, effective Sept. 15.

However, she will continue to do the 10 p.m. weekday news on the CBS affiliate through Nov. 26, with co-anchor Keahi Tucker. That newscast has been No. 1 in the Nielsen ratings for more than a year.

Gennaula, who currently also co-anchors the station's 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts, has had a 23-year career as a reporter, weather anchor and news anchor — nearly 15 years with KGMB.

The job change will give her more time with her children, daughter Alla, 4 1/2, and son Luke, 6, who were born at Kapi'olani.

"It's such a tough situation to be in," Gennaula said. "For me personally, it's the best year I've ever had."

Her contract renewal was coming up, she said, and to sign for three more years would have reduced her quality time with her kids.

In a note to colleagues about her decision, Gennaula wrote: "I am tremendously gratified in having achieved all the personal goals I set for myself. I no longer want to miss out on the simple thrills like family dinner, helping them with their homework and tucking them in at night. I want to be there for these wonderful fun years while they still want to hold my hand, and explore life and develop their values and character."

With her current schedule, she employs a nanny from 3 to 11 p.m. weekdays, since she and husband Guy Hagi, KGMB's weather anchor, both have night shifts.

Hagi, who will remain at Channel 9, supports her decision. "Guy is totally supportive," she said. "Doing weather, he can do dinner breaks, since weather doesn't change."

Her first project with Kapi'olani Health Foundation will be to help Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children raise funds for a major renovation and expansion of a neo-natal intensive care wing.

"I'll also be involved in a media campaign next year, as the hospital marks its 100th year," Gennaula said.

"Many in Hawai'i already know Kapi'olani Medical Center is the only full-service children's hospital in the Pacific. What they might not know is that Kapi'olani is nonprofit, or that it will never turn away a child because of inability to pay."

Mike Robinson, executive director of the Kapi'olani Health Foundation, said, "Our mission is vital to Hawai'i and we are thrilled to be moving forward with Kim on our development team."

Gennaula expects to play a role in KGMB's election coverage this fall, and will remain at the station through the November sweeps, one of three ratings period for TV stations.

"I'm trying not to look back and I'm OK with leaving. I'll be starting a whole new adventure," she said. "And I'm hoping that my (broadcast) competitors will be allies when we (Kapi'olani) roll out our big media campaign."