CLOSE UP FOUNDATION

Close Up Foundation has hired Hawai'i native Kellie James as a full-time, Hawai'i-based community coordinator. James previously worked for the Native Hawaiian Scholars Program, and in her new position, will travel throughout the state to aid teachers, students, parents, and community members with Close Up program planning.

Close Up Foundation provides students the opportunity to spend a week in Washington, D.C. observing the government in action.

KAISER PERMANENTE

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has hired Craig Nakamoto as a health and regulatory lawyer in the organization's legal government relations department. He will work in Kaiser's Honolulu office assisting with compliance, provider operations, health plan regulatory matters and hospital matters.

Nakamoto has a diverse professional background, including health law, corporate law and real property law, as well as experience in government relations.

UH FOUNDATION

The University of Hawai'i Foundation has elected Michael Tresler and Brandt Farias to its Board of Trustees.

Tresler, a certified public accountant, is the senior vice president of Grove Farm Company, Inc. He previously served as Kaua'i County's finance director.

Farias is executive vice president in charge of the Marketing Communications Division at First Hawaiian Bank. He oversees the bank's advertising, corporate communications, direct mail and special events departments, as well wealth management, deposit and IRA product areas.

CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY

Chaminade University has selected Dr. Stephanie Genz as its new associate dean for nursing. She was previously associate professor and assistant dean for nursing at Viterbo University, a Catholic, Franciscan university located in La Crosse, Wisc.

Responding to the critical shortage of nurses in Hawai'i, the Pacific region and nationally, Chaminade plans to open its School of Nursing in fall 2010, pending approval by the Hawaii State Board of Nursing.

TOASTMASTERS DIST. 49

Toastmasters District 49 have elected their district officers for 2009-2010. They are: district governor, Carolyn "Cat" Sawai, Board of Water Supply civil engineer; lieutenant governor of education, Anne Myers of First Hawaiian Bank; and lieutenant governor of marketing, Frank Vargo, Hawaiian Electric operations engineer.

Division governors are, Dan Abeshima, Wendy Sanico, Fernando Santiago-Mandujano and John Wayte.

Appointed district officers are: Lina Carahasen, public relations officer; Laurie Makiya, secretary; and Jerome Fukuhara, treasurer.

HAWAII WOMEN LAWYERS

Hawaii Women Lawyers has elected officers and directors for 2009-2010. They are: president, Joanne Lo Grimes; vice president/president-elect, Ruth Oh; secretary, Shellie Park Hoapili; treasurer, Zale Okazaki; and directors, Emi Kaimuloa, Lori Amano, Sarah Bazzi, Cathy Betts, Dianne Brookins, Stacey Djou, M. Nalani Fujimori Kaina, Lane Hornfeck, Jen-L Lyman, Lynne McGivern, Tricia Nakamatsu, Karen Nakasone, Jennifer Rose, Patsy Saiki, Lauren Sharkey and Natalie Wilson; and student representatives, Jennifer Allen, Jamila Jarmon and Erin Kobayashi.