Tannya Joaquin is leaving KHON2 to become an early news anchor at KGMB9, effective Feb. 2.

Joaquin, who has been on maternity leave from the Fox affiliate since August, has decided not to return. Instead, she will be new anchor for the CBS affiliate's 5 p.m. news and will also co-anchor the 6 p.m. news with Keahi Tucker, the station announced today.

She replaces Kim Gennaula, who still does Channel 9's 10 p.m. newscast with Tucker, but has left her early evening slot for a new job at Kapi'olani Health Foundation.

The station is close to naming Gennaula's successor for the 10 p.m. news, currently Hawai'i's No. 1 late night source of news, according to the Nielsen survey.

"What a perfect fit for our newsroom," said Chris Archer, KGMB's news director, in a statement. "Tannya brings an incredible drive and work ethic to KGMB9 that will strengthen our position as Hawai'i's leader and her role as a journalist. She is a momentum-builder."

Said Joaquin, who co-anchored Channel 2's 5 p.m. news with Ron Mizutani: "I've found a new home at KGMB9 that allows me to grow professionally while enjoying more time with my family. It's truly the best of both worlds."

Joaquin started her broadcast career as an intern at KITV4 16 years ago. She joined KHON in 2002 and has served as a general assignment reporter and co-anchor for the morning news before taking on the 5 p.m. newscast. She also oversaw the station's Lokahi Giving Project.

Her move to Channel 9 will reunite Joaquin with her former KHON mentor and general manager, Rick Blangiardi, who now is KGMB9 president after a stint as KHON honcho.

Anchor switcheroos also are under way at KITV4, the ABC affiliate, where Gary Sprinkle and Pamela Young have taken over the 6 p.m. weekday news in addition to their longtime run at 5 p.m.; and Shawn Ching, co-anchor at 10 p.m. with Paula Akana, will leave Channel 4 after the November sweeps to join the law firm of Kobayashi Sugita & Goda.