HONOLULU—'Ahahui Koa Anuenue (AKA) chairman Al Chee today announced the hiring of Jon Kobayashi as president for the organization. Kobayashi replaces Vince Baldemor who was selected as executive director of athletics for Hawaii Pacific University late last year. Kobayashi was previously general manager for a privately owned hotel in Washington for seven years and partner at a law firm in Honolulu for thirteen years.
 
"I am grateful for the opportunity afforded me by 'Ahahui Koa Anuenue and in particular Board Chairman, Al Chee, to lead AKA into its next chapter. As a life-long UH athletics fan, it is a high honor to lead this most important organization tasked with coordinating and overseeing all fundraising activities designed to benefit and support all UH Manoa athletics programs. There is much to be done, and I look forward to meeting these challenges head-on and getting to work," said Kobayashi.
 
"We are excited about working with Jon and know he will represent the AKA board and membership well. This is a new chapter in the 46-year history of AKA and we look forward to building on that strong partnership under Jon's leadership," said Hawai'i athletics director Ben Jay.
 
"Jon brings with him great passion for UH Athletics in addition to a successful legal and business background that will suit him well as 'Ahahui Koa Anuenue revitalizes its mission to raise funds to support all athletics programs at UH Manoa," added Chee. "We chose Jon over many other well qualified candidates and we appreciated the interest in the position from individuals both locally and nationally. Thanks to the selection committee of Ray Ono (Vice Chairman, First Hawaiian Bank), Sean Sugai (President, Ron Ho & Associates), Mary Ann Sacharski (General Manager, Oceanic Time Warner Media Sales), and Ben Jay (UH, Manoa Athletics Director) for all their time and effort to make this very important hiring decision."