FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                       January 25, 2005

Release M-10

MAYOR APPOINTS NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

Contact: Bill Brennan, 527-6928

               Mark Matsunaga, 527-5784

            Mayor Mufi Hannemann today announced the appointment of Baybee Hufana-Ablan as executive secretary of the Neighborhood Commission.

Hufana-Ablan is a certified pharmacy technician and a mortgage broker. She has extensive experience in counseling and property sales and refinancing. She is also active in many community groups. She holds two degrees from her native Philippines.

            This brings to seven the number of women Hannemann has appointed to his cabinet, more than any other mayor of Honolulu has appointed to begin a four-year term of office.

            Hufana-Ablan joins six female department heads Hannemann has already appointed:

• Budget and Fiscal Services Director Mary Pat Waterhouse,
• Medical Examiner Dr. Kanthi  De Alwis,
• Emergency Services Director Dr. Elizabeth Char,
• Corporation Counsel Carrie Okinaga,
• Community Services Director Debbie Kim Morikawa
• Facilities and Maintenance Director Laverne Higa.

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