Symphony director leaving June 30

Honolulu Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Tom Gulick will leave the organization when his contract expires June 30. Symphony officials say a “;national search process”; will begin immediately for a new director.

Gulick joined the financially troubled organization in 2006 and is credited with stabilizing the orchestra's management.

“;The entire organization is grateful to Tom Gulick for having committed a considerable tenure during which the organization was able to plant important new seeds for its future growth in a number of critical areas,”; said Peter Shaindlin, symphony chairman, in a statement. “;Many of these important initiatives were led by Tom in the face of unprecedented economic challenges for all performing arts organizations.”;

Honolulu is eighth-best walking city

Honolulu, where the weather is conducive to outdoor activities all year, was rated No. 8 on a list of the 25 best walking cities in the United States.

San Francisco topped the annual survey published in the May edition of Prevention healthy lifestyle magazine, on sale this week. That city has 12 agencies devoted to walking issues, according to an announcement.

The American Podiatric Medical Association and Sperling's Best Places publications participated in the magazine survey.

Last year, Honolulu ranked seventh on the list and was identified as having the most people who walk for exercise.