John Graul, director of operations for McDonald's Restaurants of Hawaii Inc. since April 1995, has been promoted to her former position, managing director of the Pacific region.

Ribellia-Abreu said she left the job to buy the McDonald's of Mililani franchise from the company.

"I wanted to get closer to the community where I live (Mililani)," she said. "I didn't want to leave Hawaii (which would have been her next upward move in the corporation)."

Another factor was the required traveling in the Pacific region, which has been as high as 150,000 miles a year. "My two children, 8 and 16, like having me at home more," she said.

Ribellia-Abreu was director of operations before taking the top regional job. She started at McDonald's 23 years ago as a cook at the Kahala outlet.

She had held the managing director position since 1994 when she replaced Pat Kahler, who retired and purchased a McDonald's franchise in Oregon.

Graul came to Hawaii from California, where he worked for McDonald's in the Los Angeles and San Diego regions. His 13-year history with the corporation includes community work with the Ronald McDonald House and its charities.

There are 68 McDonald's restaurants in Hawaii, six in Guam and two in Saipan. The first Hawaii McDonald's opened in 1968 in Aina Haina.