KHON-TV is soon to bid an aloha of one sort to reporter Brianne Randle and an aloha of another sort to Nestor Garcia.
Randle has been reporting for the station for eight "great" years but is leaving because "I am thrilled to report that I am going to become a mom," she said, via email.
"With the support of my husband and family, I am going to take this time to focus on what is best for my baby."
Randle is "extremely proud to have been a part of our news team," and called the decision to leave "difficult." She also expressed hope to be able to return to the station one day.
Under the leadership of News Director Lori Silva, Randle "has grown tremendously in the eight years she has been with KHON2," said President and General Manager Kristina Lockwood.
Randle "has been an outstanding reporter for KHON2 and has uncovered many stories for our news viewers," she said.
Randle’s last day will be Friday, Jan. 31.
The following Monday, Feb. 3, KHON will usher in the return of reporter-turned-lawmaker Nestor Garcia — just in time for the February ratings period, which stretches from Jan. 30 through Feb. 26.
Currently executive director at the nonprofit Kapolei Chamber of Commerce managing day-to-day operations, the bulk of Garcia’s career has been spent in elective office.
He served in the Honolulu City Council for 12 years, part of that time as Council chairman, and served for eight years in the state House of Representatives.
Overlapping those years of public service, Garcia also worked in the private sector, handling corporate communications for City Bank.
His 10-year tenure at KHON as a reporter covering crime, government and doing general assignment work stretched from 1981 to 1991.
Lockwood is "very excited" about Garcia rejoining the news department.
"He is committed to serving the community and looks forward to continuing his service to the people of our state as a KHON journalist," she said.
Garcia could not be reached for comment.
Free food
Panda Express will greet the Year of the Horse by offering free food and a traditional red envelope containing a restaurant offer on Friday, Jan. 31.
Just to allay any concerns, the free food offered as a way to usher in the Year of the Horse is Firecracker Chicken Breast.
A single serving of the wok-seared chicken breast, sweet bell peppers, onions and spicy black bean sauce contains fewer than 250 calories, according to restaurant publicity materials.
Customers must have a coupon, available from the Panda Express website, to get the free single-serving portion and familiar "li see" envelope. The dish is on the menu and will be served through Feb. 18, but Jan. 31 is the only day to score the freebie.
Given its more than 1,650 locations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Guam, the quick-service restaurant chain is touting the promotion as the nation’s largest Chinese New Year celebration.
On the Net:
» pandaexpress.com
Reach Erika Engle at 529-4303, erika@staradvertiser.com or on Twitter as @erikaengle.
