HAWAIIAN HOST INC.

Hawaiian Host Inc., manufacturer of Hawaiian Host Chocolates, has hired Mark Yamada as controller and director of finance. Yamada is a veteran of finance and customer service, with extensive experience in business in Japan. He most recently was director of finance and administration at Gemini Mobile Technologies Inc., overseeing all financial and administrative issues for the firm's Japan, China and United Kingdom subsidiaries.

The company has also hired Howard Higa as a senior salesperson. Higa was, most recently, key account manager at Diamond Bakery Co. Ltd., and before that, Hawai'i retail sales and brand manager at Hawai'i Coffee Co., and its products, Lion Coffee, Royal Kona Coffee and Hawaiian Island Teas.

THE LIMTIACO CO.

Paula Bender has been hired as account executive/editorial director at The Limtiaco Co., a public relations company. Bender most recently worked at Oceanic Institute as its communications specialist, editor and Web master. She will handle client news releases, brochures, speeches, annual reports, newsletters and press kits, as well as provide oversight on media relations. She is a former Honolulu Advertiser and Pacific Business News staff writer.

Former freelance writer and event planner Lance Rae has been hired as an account executive. Rae has worked as a writer and editor for various magazines, newsletters and newspapers, and has been hired to plan, coordinate and host fundraisers and events for a variety of clients.

ALOHA PACIFIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union has hired Rene H. Yamaguchi as compliance assistant, helping insure the group's overall compliance with applicable federal and state rules, regulations and statutory requirements. Previously, Yamaguchi was primarily responsible for probate and guardianship court accounting for First Hawaiian Bank's Wealth Management Group.

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK

Hermelo Y. Parot has been named general manager of the Honolulu Agency of The Philippine National Bank. Prior to his Honolulu posting, Parot was vice president and group sales manager for PNB's 51 branches in the Visayas, Philippines. He joined PNB in 1973.

Announcements of promotions and job changes can be sent to: Trade Winds, Business Section, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; faxed to 525-6763, or e-mailed to wshirkey@honoluluadvertiser.com. For e-mailed releases, please make sure the information is included in the body of the message, not as an attachment. Hard copy, color mug shots are preferred.