Newscaster Tannya Joaquin is leaving KHON-2 to become an early news anchor at KGMB-9, effective Feb. 2.

Joaquin, who has been on maternity leave from the Fox affiliate since August, has decided not to return. Instead, she will be the new anchor of the CBS affiliate's 5 p.m. news and will co-anchor the 6 p.m. news with Keahi Tucker, KGMB announced today.

She replaces Kim Gennaula, who still does Channel 9's 10 p.m. newscast with Tucker, but has left her early evening slot for a new job at Kapi'olani Health Foundation.

The station is close to naming Gennaula's successor for the 10 p.m. news, which is top-rated in Hawai'i, according to the Nielsen survey.

"What a perfect fit for our newsroom," Chris Archer, KGMB's news director, said in a statement. "Tannya brings an incredible drive and work ethic to KGMB-9 that will strengthen our position as Hawai'i's leader and her role as a journalist. She is a momentum builder."

Joaquin, who co-anchored Channel 2's 5 p.m. news with Ron Mizutani said: "I've found a new home at KGMB-9 that allows me to grow professionally while enjoying more time with my family. It's truly the best of both worlds."

Joaquin started her broadcast career 16 years ago as an intern at KITV-4. She joined KHON in 2002 and served as a general assignment reporter and co-anchor for the morning news before taking on the 5 p.m. newscast. She also oversaw the station's Lokahi Giving Project.

Her move to Channel 9 will reunite Joaquin with her former KHON mentor and general manager, Rick Blangiardi, who now is KGMB-9 president.

Anchor switcheroos also are under way at KITV-4, the ABC affiliate, where Gary Sprinkle and Pamela Young have taken over the 6 p.m. weekday news in addition to their longtime run at 5 p.m. Meanwhile, Shawn Ching, co-anchor at 10 p.m. with Paula Akana, will leave Channel 4 after the November sweeps to join the law firm of Kobayashi Sugita & Goda.