Former television news figures Caroline Sluyter and Malika Dudley are taking on new roles.
Sluyter has been the public information officer for the sprawling state Department of Transportation since May 2012.
"It really has been a great place to work," she said. While it was "the most challenging place I’ve ever worked," Sluyter said she learned a great deal and feels "like we got a lot done, accomplished a lot," citing roadway improvements and the like.
Starting Oct. 27, Sluyter will become the communications officer for the Hawaii Government Employees Association, or HGEA, under the leadership of Executive Director Randy Perreira.
Prior to the DOT, she was the public information officer for the Honolulu Police Department. Before that, she was the police beat reporter at KITV, where she worked for seven years following four years at KHNL.
The transition from news media to government work, going from "being the pesky one" prying for answers to being the gatekeeper of information, was "interesting," she said.
Meanwhile, just as island residents braced for Tropical Storm Ana to transition to hurricane status last week, it was announced that Maui-based Pacific Media Group had hired Malika Dudley, former Hawaii News Now weekend meteorologist and reporter, as chief meteorologist for online publications Maui Now and Big Island Now.
Dudley’s "diverse background and industry knowledge is a tremendous asset," said Chuck Bergson, president and CEO of Pacific Media Group, in a statement. Dudley is a former Miss Hawaii, was named Miss Congeniality at the 2006 Miss America competition, and has her own jewelry-making business, Surfer Girl Jewelry.
For the past year she had volunteered her time in a similar role at MAUIWatch, another online news source.
"I’ve been in the industry for seven years and I hope that the Maui Now and Big Island Now community will trust me to help keep them safe and informed when severe weather strikes," Dudley said in a statement.
On the net:
» www.hgea.org
» mauinow.com
» bigislandnow.com
» mauiwatch.com
MUCH LOVED MCRIB COMING TO HAWAII
If you see news reports about McDonald’s deciding not to do a nationwide rollout of its McRib sandwich, as did your columnist, you need not panic.
Been there, done that, on your behalf.
The barbecue-sauce-slathered pork sandwich, which has a cultlike following and die-hard devotees, will be available at all Hawaii restaurants starting Oct. 28, according to a company representative.
Additionally, customers who purchase the McRib Extra Value Meal can get a second McRib for $2.
On the net:
» www.mchawaii.net
CIAO BELLINI
Ward Village will welcome Italian restaurant Bellini Bistro and Bar in January, helmed by chef Dave Nguyen, it was announced Friday.
Italian recipes with a local twist will incorporate imported meats, cheeses and pastas, with menu items to include oxtail osso buco, fresh fish piccata and tiramisu.
The restaurant with full-service bar will open next to Ninja Sushi, according to a statement from Ward Village officials.
Parent company Lako Investments LLC is led by Sengoura Sayarath, who, in addition to Bellini Bistro and Bar, has registered additional trade names including Avanti Bistro and Bar, and Bel Pasto, though it would appear that Bellini will be the first operation to open.
A company representative could not be immediately reached.
Reach Erika Engle at 529-4303, erika@staradvertiser.com or on Twitter as @erikaengle.
