LATEST NEWS

October 31, 2006
Industry Veteran Cara Kakuda Joins Hawaiian Telcom’s Wireless Team

HONOLULU – Cara Kakuda, formerly general manager for Nextel Hawaii, has joined Hawaiian Telcom as Director – Wireless Business Sales for the state’s leading communications provider.

“Cara is well-known in the industry and brings a wealth of experience in wireless sales,” said Jon Gelman, Hawaiian Telcom Vice President, Wireless Operations & Development. “Her knowledge and experience will be key factors as Hawaiian Telcom’s wireless business continues to grow and evolve to meet the changing needs of our customers. She has an unbeatable track record of outstanding success, and we’re truly thrilled to have her on the Hawaiian Telcom team.”

A veteran wireless executive, Kakuda will head Hawaiian Telcom’s wireless sales team and primarily will focus on business customers. Establishing steady wireless business sales from the ground up is her specialty. From 1989 to 1995, Kakuda owned and managed her own company, Cellular Distributors. She then joined GTE Corporation to build and manage its new wireless sales division in Hawaii.

When VoiceStream (now T-Mobile) entered the market later that year, they recruited Kakuda to do the same. In 1998, she joined Nextel Partners where, as Direct Sales Manager, she doubled sales forecasts and built a strong veteran team as well. In 2005, she was promoted to General Manager and oversaw all aspects of Nextel Hawaii’s sales operations.

“Hawaiian Telcom has very exciting plans for the islands, and their wireless business has been gaining real momentum.” said Kakuda. “Wireless is a fiercely competitive market, especially in Hawaii where penetration is higher than the national average. Understanding the market and the needs of the local customer are essential. I look forward to helping Hawaiian Telcom to compete and to serve this dynamic marketplace.”

Kakuda, a graduate of Punahou School, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration economics from the University of Hawaii. In 1993, she was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the Small Business Administration – Hawaii and West Region.

About Hawaiian Telcom
Hawaiian Telcom is the state’s leading telecommunications provider, offering a wide spectrum of telecommunications products and services, which include local and long distance service, high-speed Internet, wireless services, and print directory and Internet directory services.