Makaula to make a massive market jump

Walter Makaula is about to make a big move across the pond.

From the No. 72 TV market, Honolulu, he has won a gig as weekend anchor and reporter in San Diego, the No. 27 market.

He will help launch the new, high-definition newscasts of KSWB-TV in San Diego as a weekend anchor and reporter.

To say he had just done the TV career equivalent of winning the lottery would attribute his impending big-market move only to chance, or luck, though he does feel fortunate, he said.

"It helps to have a little luck and it helps even more to have a great agent."

Makaula is represented by Laurie Jacoby of Beverly Hills-based Napoli Management Group Inc., which has placed top broadcast news and host talent across the nation.

Makaula's last day as anchor and reporter at KHNL/KFVE-TV will be July 24.

He hosts a nonprofit event Friday, boards a plane for San Diego on Saturday and starts the new job on Monday. Its HD newscasts debut Friday Aug. 1.

"It's been great having Walter," said John Fink, KHNL/KFVE vice president and general manager.

"We're happy we could help him get to this point," as well as to have his "compelling local stories" as part of its news offerings, Fink said.

Makaula joined KHNL/KFVE from KGMB-TV in October of 2004, to co-anchor the KFVE News at 9 with Stephanie Lum. He also anchored the KHNL News at 5 p.m. on weekdays.

He was hired following the departure of KGMB anchor Dave Carlin, who left, ironically, for a gig at KSWB, "and that's where I'm going," Makaula said.

KSWB is owned by the Tribune Co., which has had considerable ink in media industry publications recently for its moves to slash pages published as well as staffing.

However, for KSWB, Tribune is in building mode. It announced the affiliation swap from the CW to Fox in March, as well as plans to build a news department to produce multiple hours of daily news. Makaula was the final anchor hire.

"I'm really honored (to join) national anchors and big-market anchors. There are only six of us," he said, including Rob Morrison, Raoul Martinez, Kathleen Bade, Arthel Neville and his co-anchor, Susan Lennon.

KHNL/KFVE will seek his successor from inside its ranks before looking outside, said Dan Dennison, news director.

Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin. Call 529-4747, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached at: eengle@starbulletin.com