WORKSHOPS

A Journalist's Guide to Reinvention: Panel discussion on changing careers on April 27.

Open to AAJA members and all newsrooms. At The Advertiser, 5:30 p.m. Information: Gene Park, gpark@starbulletin.com

DESCRIPTION:

"With all due respect to other occupations, doctors can work in other hospitals, attorneys can work in other law firms, teachers can teach at other schools, and waiters can wait in other restaurants. There are only two daily newspapers in this town."
~ Gordon Pang, Honolulu Advertiser reporter, Feb. 25, 2010

A poignant yet painful observation. For many Hawaii print journalists, what are the options?

Hundreds of dedicated media workers face tough decisions that may bring upon immense change.

It requires planning, and the Asian American Journalists Association Hawaii chapter wants to help by presenting a panel discussion on career change options for journalists.

The panel comes from diverse backgrounds, and will discuss how journalists can take their vast range of skills and translate them to other professions.

They are:

• Kitty Lagareta, chairman and chief executive officer, Communications Pacific

Kitty has been at the helm of Communications Pacific since 1998. She also led Gov. Linda Lingle's 1998 campaign for governor, and she has served as chair and vice chair of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents. Communications Pacific provides public relations, community relations, advertising, marketing, interactive communications and public affairs services. Started in 1969, the firm currently represents a wide swath of businesses in Hawaii, and has won numerous PRSA awards in recent years.

• Lianne Maeda, executive search consultant, Inkinen & Associates

Lianne has been involved in career development for more than 20 years. She has worked at the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations' School-to-Work Transition Center Program and administered a career center. She was director of Cooperative Education and Internships and later director of the Career Services Center at Hawaii Pacific University. As a consultant, she is a catalyst to bringing new talent to Hawaii businesses, filling vacancies with the firm's best interests in mind.

• Shannon Tangonan-Putnam, owner, Hapa Grill

Shannon is a former journalist for the Honolulu Advertiser and San Diego Union-Tribune. She returned home to Hawaii in 2005 to follow in her father's footsteps: start a small business. Coming from a family of food entrepreneurs, she started Hapa Grill. Today, the Kapolei eatery remains popular with Leeward residents, and is a previous 'Ilima Award winner for Best Casual Restaurant.

• Gregg Takayama, director of community and government relations, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Gregg was previously a reporter for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and KHON2. He served 13 years as press secretary to U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. From 1992 to 1997, he was spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety, as well as Ben Cayetano when he was lieutenant governor. Gregg was previously director of public relations at the university's John A. Burns School of Medicine before his current appointment.

The event is at the Honolulu Advertiser, and is free, and open to all newsrooms. Use the side entrance on the Diamond Head side of the building, and the venue is right through the door.

Mahalo, and please kokua and spread the word on this event to your friends, family and colleagues. We hope you will find value in the panel's experiences and advice.