KITV chief meteorologist Justin Fuji­oka will begin a new career as press secretary for Gov. Neil Abercrombie starting Jan. 27.

KITV News Director Chuck Parker praised Fuji­oka as having been "a team player who makes a difference with his positive attitude" and "one of the nicest people you could ever know."

The personnel move follows the departures of press secretary Dona­lyn Dela Cruz in October 2012 and Louise Kim McCoy, who served as director of communications and as press secretary until Oct. 31.

Abercrombie also announced that Christine Hirasa has been promoted to director of communications and will oversee all aspects of communications for the executive branch. Keith DeMello has been promoted to deputy director of communications from communications manager, a post he started in December 2011 after a career in private-sector public relations work. Tyler Kruse, also in the communications office, will take on additional responsibilities as communications and digital media specialist.

Abercrombie touted each of his communications team members as "a product of our University of Hawaii system."

Fujioka joined KITV as an associate news producer and weekend weather producer in 2002, made the transition to on-camera weekend weather anchor in October 2003 and later moved to weekday weather anchoring. Most recently he has served as weekday news reporter and weekend weather anchor.

Fujioka won an Emmy Award for Best On-Camera Talent in Weather from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Northern California Area) in 2008.

Hirasa joined the governor’s office in November 2012 after serving as a communications specialist for the state Department of Education and executive assistant to the chancellor at the University of Hawaii at West Oahu. She also has served as public information officer for the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the state Judiciary.