Bishop Estate
spokeswoman
taking TV job

Elisa Yadao says being
a mouthpiece for the estate
'has been all-consuming'

By Mary Adamsky
Star-Bulletin

Elisa Yadao, who is frequently in the media spotlight as spokeswoman for Bishop Estate, will take a job on the other side of the news cameras as managing editor of NBC Hawaii News 8 (KHNL) television station.

The announcement of her appointment, effective Dec. 1, was made last night by the station's executive news director, Chuck Parker.

Yadao was a reporter with KGMB-TV for 10 years before taking the job eight years ago with Bishop Estate, a charitable trust with assets estimated at $10 billion.

She has served as a buffer for the estate trustees, who rarely respond to media requests for comment.

Complaints and investigations into the trustees' management of the estate in recent months intensified the demands of the job, she said.

"My job of late has been all-consuming," Yadao said.

"There have been moments that have been very stressful. Because of what is going on, it has been very demanding.

"It's been a long haul. I decided what would be best for my family. It was just time for me to reorder my life."

She and her husband have two sons, ages 4 and 5.

Yadao said she is excited to join the "relatively young news organization. It's a good opportunity." The station began news broadcasts in April 1995.

Yadao said she and the station management agreed that she will not be involved in any coverage of Bishop Estate or Kamehameha Schools.

"I will rely on my professional standards and ethics that I don't compromise anybody," Yadao said.

She said she submitted her resignation Monday afternoon and has not had an opportunity to discuss the change with her employers.

"I don't want to give the impression that people have been anything less than good to me. It was with a great deal of regret that I handed in my resignation. I had to think about it. There are very good people there, very important work that is being done."

Channel 8's Parker said: "To get someone of Elisa's caliber is really a coup for us.

"She has a wealth of experience and knowledge in this town."

He also announced the promotion of Dave Patterson to executive producer.

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Ex-estate workers
to talk to Bronster

They were granted immunity
from suits that could come up

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Two former investment managers at Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate have agreed to comply with subpoenas issued by Attorney General Margery Bronster in the state's investigation of the $10 billion charitable trust.

Bruce Nakaoka and Eric Martinson agreed to meet with the attorney general before Nov. 26, after they were granted immunity from civil suits that may arise from their cooperation, said Deputy Attorney General Hugh Jones.

The agreement was approved today by Circuit Court Judge Kevin Chang.

In another Bishop Estate investigation, retired Circuit Judge Patrick K.S. Yim today said he met with the five estate trustees Monday to update them on the progress of his fact-finding report into management of the schools.

Yim did not disclose the nature of the discussion. He is required by court order to complete his report on or by Dec. 5.

None of the trustees commented on the meeting.

Critics of the trustees' management said Yim was wrong to privately meet with the group before he releases his report.

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