Hilton Worldwide has named Debi Bishop managing director of Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Bishop, who began her new position Friday, has 30 years of industry experience and served as general manager of Hilton Waikoloa since 2008.

“I’ve been impressed watching Debi successfully develop and lead our team at Hilton Waikoloa Village over the past seven years,” said Jerry Gibson, Hilton Hawaii area vice president. “We’re lucky she’ll remain in our Hilton Hawaii ohana as the new leader at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.”

Bishop serves on the board of directors for the Big Island Visitors Bureau, Hawaii Island Chapter of the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, Kohala Coast Resort Association, Waikoloa Beach Resort Conference and Waikoloa Resort Association. She is also on the advisory board for University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Business and Economics.

Automakers post best March sales in years

DETROIT >> Most major automakers reported U.S. sales gains last month as stronger employment figures and consumer confidence drove the auto industry to its best March in 16 years.

But the growth appeared to be slowing as brisk SUV and truck sales barely offset falling car sales. Some automakers had to raise discounts on cars or peddle more of them to rental companies. That could mean better deals for car buyers down the road.

Overall, U.S. sales rose 3.2 percent to 1.59 million, the best March since 2000, according to Kelley Blue Book. But the growth was only about half of last year’s 6 percent increase. Car sales dropped 6 percent, while SUVs and trucks were up 11 percent, according to Autodata Corp.

Ford, Honda, Fiat Chrysler, Nissan, Hyundai and General Motors all reported increases, largely driven by SUVs and trucks. But Toyota sales fell nearly 3 percent as rising SUV numbers couldn’t overcome car sales that fell almost 10 percent. Toyota’s Camry, the top-selling car in the U.S., saw sales drop 9 percent to just under 37,000.

U.S. consumer sentiment slipped in March

WASHINGTON >> U.S. consumer sentiment slipped last month to its lowest level since October with Americans worried about the country’s economic outlook, the University of Michigan said Friday.

The university’s index of consumer sentiment dipped to 91 in March from 91.7 in February. Richard Curtin, chief economist of the Michigan surveys, said consumers’ dim view of the economy offset improvement in their own finances. Last month’s reading was the lowest since the index registered 90 in October. A year earlier it stood at 93.

Signs of economic weakness and rising gasoline prices have taken a toll on spirits.

Manufacturing ends 5 months of declines

WASHINGTON >> U.S. manufacturers expanded in March, ending a five-month streak of declining factory activity.

The Institute for Supply Management said Friday that its manufacturing index rose to 51.8 last month from 49.5 in February. Any reading above 50 signals growth.

The increase suggests that U.S. factories are adapting to the turmoil abroad, where a stronger dollar and weakening economies in China, Japan and elsewhere have hurt sales. But the details of the survey-based report were somewhat uneven. New orders and production improved, but the measure of employment at manufacturers contracted in a sign that factories are letting workers go.

University disavows chocolate milk study

NEW YORK >> The University of Maryland on Friday disavowed its study saying a company’s chocolate milk could help athletes recover from concussions, citing a range of problems uncovered by an internal investigation.

The university said it is reviewing its research procedures as a result, and deleting press releases about Fifth Quarter’s milk from its website. It is also returning $228,910 provided by the company and a co-op of milk producers.

ON THE MOVE

Kupu has hired the following employees to support the organization’s programs and services:

>> Sam Apuna is the marketing and outreach manager for Kupu. He has experience as a media director for Wahiawa-based Surfing the Nations, a volunteer-run nonprofit organization.

>> Stephanie Burns is senior program manager. She will oversee Kupu’s sustainability initiatives, working directly with Kamehameha Schools‘ sustainability office. Burns was previously a consultant for the Buck Institute for Education.

>> Kaiulani Laeha is Kupu’s development manager. She was previously executive director of Pacific Links Hawaii Foundation.

Kupu also hired three program coordinators for its management team: Moses Siona, Sydney Tureaud and Charlotte Burville.