Peter Serafin, President -
Peter Serafin was, most recently, editor of the Hawai’i Island Journal, the only locally-owned, independent newspaper covering the entire island. HIJ closed in June, 2008 and Serafin continues to freelance for various publications, including the online Hawaii Independent.
He sold his first feature story to the Sunday magazine of one of his hometown newspapers, the Chicago Tribune, when he was 18. After university and a stint working in Chicago, he moved to Tokyo, was a reporter and columnist for the Japan Times (the country’s largest English-language newspaper). He later served as Asia correspondent for Billboard magazine, and as a broadcast reporter for NHK-International News.
He moved to Hawai’i in the mid-1990s and worked remotely as an editor for a Tokyo-based online business news service, as well for as a Japanese-English translation firm. Prior to becoming editor of HIJ in 2004, he worked as an occasional Big Island stringer for the Associated Press, Hawaii Public Radio and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. He has also written or co-written nine university textbooks on various aspects of American history and culture, all of which are now being used in Japanese universities.
Stephanie Salazar, Vice President -
Radio news reporter and past ’stringer’ for the Honolulu Advertiser. News director for Parrott Broadcasting’s KHBC 92.7 FM (Hilo side) and /KONA FM 92.1 (West Hawaii), and also on staff of Visionary Entertainment’s The BEACH, 102.1 FM Hilo.
A UH Hilo Graduate, starting in radio news back in the 1980’s under the wings of the late Bill Carnett, News Director of KIPA Radio (then 620 AM), later with Big Island Radio (KAPA, KHWI, KIPA). Prior News Director for K-BIG and part of the famous “Breakfast Club” of the late 1980’s on 97.9 FM.
Memorable news moments for this reporter was an interview with the late Clare Booth Luce (The Trib paid me $5.00 for it), meeting (from afar) Prince Phillip atop Mauna Kea and other interviews with Henry Huihui (he asked me if I was nervous) and Sparky Matsunaga.
Rod Thompson, Treasurer –
Closure of the neighbor island bureaus of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin led to the lay-off of Rod Thompson in February, 2009 after 31 years with the newspaper.
During the 1970s Thompson worked as an announcer at KIPA radio for one year and as news director at KHLO radio for three years. He grew up in a number of places across the United States, primarily Rhode Island and New Mexico, where he graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in English.
Arriving in Hilo in 1971, Thompson has been a member of the Big Island Press Club since 1975, treasurer of the club since 1994 and editor of the newsletter Gleanings since 2005
Wayne “Big Dog” Joseph, Secretary -
Wayne Joseph is a retired public school teacher with over 30 years in the department of eduction. Joseph currently is the Executive Director of the Big Island Marathon, Chair of Big Island Federal Credit Union, Secretary for the Big Island Press Club, Vice President of HSTA-Retired and is a free lance sports writer for the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.
Past winner of the athlete of the month award, sports person of the year, WalMart teacher of the Year, Big Island Hall of Fame and numerous other awards.
Wendell Kaehuaea, Director -
Planning and implementing a Community Radio Station (KAHU 91.7FM) in Na’alehu with Vicki Fiege. Program Producer for Na Leo ‘O Hawaii Community Access Television Station (channels 52 thru 56) for East Hawaii.
From 1997-2000 attended University of Hawaii, Hilo, BA Communication, BA Political Science and a minor in Economics. Board member, Haola, Inc., Big Island Sports Hall of Fame, Y’s Men and Women Service Club and The Hawaii Island YMCA. In 1982 constructed and developed the first Native Hawaiian Radio Station in the United States, KAHU 1060 AM, now know as KHBC.
Always active in all political and media coverage of government. Owner and operator of Keholo Nursery. A 20 acre nursery farm on Hawaiian Home Lands in Panaewa, for 35 years. MALAMA PONO.
Peter Sur, Director -
Peter Sur was born and raised in Hilo and graduated from Waiakea High School in 2000. He graduated from the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication in March 2004 with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism and a news/editorial focus. While in college, he received several BIPC scholarships.
In June 2004, Peter was hired as a staff writer (and occasional photographer) for the Hawaii Tribune-Herald newspaper, where he has worked ever since. He has served on the BIPC executive board since 2005, as a director, secretary, vice president, president and immediate past president. He is currently a director.
John Burnett, Director –
John Burnett has been a staff writer at the Hawaii Tribune-Herald since 2006. The Illinois native came to Hawaii in 1973 while in the Navy. A graduate of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, with an MEd. from UH-Manoa, he is a former high school English and history teacher and worked for three decades on local radio stations on Oahu and the Big Island, including 14 years as the play-by-play voice of the UH-Hilo Vulcans on both the radio and local cable TV.
He is also a three-time recipient of Big Island Press Club scholarships, and is passionate about the BIPC’s mission of governmental accountability to the public. He has two babies — a spayed female cat named Paka and a souped-up 1998 Harley Davidson Sportster. He loves music, reading, TV and sports — especially ESPN and the Food Network.
Chris Loos, Director -
Biography
for
Chris
is
Coming
Soon
Tim Bryan, Director -
Tim Bryan was raised on the Big Island and received his Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies—Media and Communication in Hawaii, at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
He has over thirty years experience in television news and production. He currently works as a freelance news photographer. He is a second generation Big Island Press Club member.
His father Jack Bryan was a charter member of the BIPC.
