Hawaii nonprofit people in the news:

Nonprofit CEO, former party chair runs for Lt. Gov.

Brian Schatz, a former Hawaii Democratic Party chairman and chief executive of the nonprofit Helping Hands Hawaii, announced Jan. 10 he will join an already crowded race for the lieutenant governor's seat. Schatz, first elected when he was just 26, served four terms as a state representative for the 25th District serving Makiki, McCully and Tantalus.

"I think voters are recognizing that our government has stopped working and the status quo is unacceptable, and that's why I'm running," Schatz said. He stepped down as Democratic Party chairman in December and joins five fellow Democrats also running for lieutenant governor – state Senators Robert Bunda, Gary Hooser and Norman Sakamoto and state Representatives Jon Riki Karamatsu and Lyla Berg.

The 37-year-old said if elected, he would not be the youngest to serve as lieutenant governor. Former Gov. John Waihee was 32 when he became lieutenant governor. Schatz said he is a viable candidate because he understands the job and can serve as a youthful, energetic and adaptable deputy. "You want to make sure that you pick someone who can be a valuable member of the team," he said. "We need someone with executive experience."

Schatz coordinated the successful Hawaii Obama for President Campaign, during which the party grew from 21,000 members to 49,000. He has been CEO of the nonprofit Helping Hands Hawaii since 2002.

Robin Campaniano steps down from Farmers Insurance

Robin Campaniano has retired as president and CEO of Farmers Insurance Hawaii Co., following 17 years with the company. He has served the nonprofit community in many capacities including chairing the Aloha United Way campaign and serving on the boards of AUW, the University of Hawaii Foundation, Ahahui Akoa Anuenue, the Casey Family Program, the Hawaii Association of Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities, the Hawaii State Bar Association, the Hawaii Labor Heritage Foundation, the Japan America Society of Hawaii, Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii and the Susannah Wesley Community Center.

Michele Saito has been named president of the insurer, which was previously AIG Hawaii Insurance before being sold to Los Angeles-based Farmers Group Inc. The company began doing business as Farmers Insurance Hawaii on Jan. 1.

Campaniano will serve as an advisor to the company and devote more time as a general partner in the Ulupono Initiative, a fund formed last year by philanthropists Pierre and Pam Omidyar to invest in local businesses and organizations involved in renewable energy, local food production and waste reduction.

> Planned Parenthood Hawaii has hired Andrea Anderson as chief executive officer. She was previously a director of education and community affairs for Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan for seven years.

> Luella Costales is the new executive director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, overseeing the nonprofit organization's administrative functions, fiscal responsibilities, internal and external programs, advocacy, communications and membership support, the group announced yesterday. Costales has more than 20 years' experience in nonprofit development, serving most recently as director of development with the University of Hawaii Foundation.

> Hawaii Theatre Center has promoted Sara Grove to box office manager from assistant box office manager. She has nine years of theater and box office management experience.

> The American Cancer Society Hawaii Pacific, serving Hawaii and Guam, has elected new officers and two members to its board of directors: Joseph Wikoff, chairman; state Sen. Roz Baker, vice chairwoman; Dr. James Grobe, president; Dr. Melvin Paul Palalay, vice president; Dr. Daryl Kurozawa, secretary; and Michael Chang, treasurer. New members are Ilsa Jencks and state Rep. Marcus Oshiro.

> The Sounds of Aloha Chorus, Barbershop Harmony Society, has elected its board of directors for 2010: Rod Schultz, president; Zig Palagyi, immediate past president; Rick Klemm, music vice president; Bill Joor, membership vice president; Dan Tom, secretary; Glenn Crowder, treasurer; Ed Reid, program vice president; Phil Chang, public relations and marketing vice president; Peter Matsumoto, Larry Paterson, Kawika Mitchell and Jack Hashimoto, at-large members; and Rob Hartley, musical director.

> Robb Reed of Waimea and Peter Vitousek of Stanford, Calif., have been appointed to the board of trustees at Hawaii Preparatory Academy, it was announced by Chairperson Laurie T. Ainslie. Reed is president of Renewable Resources Hawaii LLC, which represents companies for solar and photovoltaic power and BioBased Insulation. Vitousek was born in Honolulu and is a graduate of Hawaii Preparatory Academy. Other members of the HPA board are Deborah Baker, Penny Bradley, Dr. Michael Chun, Putman D. Clark, Michael K. Fujimoto, Will J. Hancock, Nona F. Hasegawa, Charles G. King, Duncan MacNaughton, Jake J. Mizuno, Gregory R. Mooers, David W. Pratt, William D. Pratt, Michael S. Spalding, Donna Tanoue, Roy A. Vitousek III and Harry M. von Holt.

> AlohaCare has promoted Susie Nguyen to public relations manager from communications and public relations team leader. Her experience includes being public relations associate for the company.

> The American Institute of Architects, Honolulu chapter, has announced its board of directors for 2010: Charles Kaneshiro, president; Spencer Leineweber, vice president/president-elect; Joy Davidson, secretary; and Terry McFarland, treasurer. At-large directors are: Louis Fung, Robin Inaba, Janice Li, Scott Wilson, Reid Mizue, Eric Nelson, Sandi Quildon and Keith Tanaka. Hawaii Island section director is Terrance Cisco and associate is Janelle Mundon.

> The Friends of Waikiki Aquarium has announced the election of officers for 2010: Chuck Kelley, chairperson; Marcus Boland, vice chairperson; Jennifer Isobe, treasurer; and Peter Thacker, secretary. New board members: Mike Neithammer and Kimo Greenwell.

> Sacred Hearts Academy has named Andrea Hamilton as director of development. Her experience includes serving the school in various positions, including director of special programs.