Hawaii Business magazine Editor Kelli Abe Trifonovitch is leaving the magazine Nov. 30 after nine years at the publication.

“;I'm really thankful to all the great people here,”; she told TheBuzz.

Hired as a senior editor in 1999, she was previously the executive producer for news and public affairs at KHET-TV (now PBS Hawaii) and a reporter for KGMB-TV.

She is leaving to pursue other opportunities.

Publisher David Tumilowicz will add acting editor to his responsibilities for the transition.

“;Kelli's DNA is obviously in the magazine and I think that really what is going to be her lasting legacy with Hawaii Business is that over the past four or five years ... (she) has been trying to make the magazine more accessible to a much broader audience.”;

Audience expansion has been aimed at businesswomen, younger readers and small-business owners, he said.

Being relevant to readers beyond its Bishop Street executive readership core “;automatically makes it relevant to the 'Top 250' (Hawaii execs) because they want to know what's going on,”; Tumilowicz said.

“;We've put into place a team to help us”; find a successor, including veteran journalists and others who have worked with the magazine “;for a long time.”;

Company policy is to post openings internally first “;and we're going through that phase ... but generally we do post (positions) externally as well. It validates, even if we end up hiring internally, that we've got the right person.”;

“;The No. 1 trait”; the magazine is looking for is “;somebody who really has a great reputation for being a mentor, a coach ... a team-builder,”; with connections in the business community, he said.

Mavro, Ono's in Gayot

Online dining, travel and lifestyle publication Gayot.com is out with its 2008 Restaurant issue and has chosen divergent Honolulu eateries for two of its lists: Chef Mavro and Ono Hawaiian Foods.

“;The elegant chef-driven restaurant never rests on its considerable laurels,”; Gayot writes about Chef Mavro.

Considering its considerable expertise, this Gayot remark is also remarkable. “;There is no restaurant quite like Chef Mavro.”;

It is on Gayot's list of Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. again, as it was in 2004 and 2007. Alan Wong's was listed in 2004 and 2005.

As for the place locals affectionately call “;Ono's,”; Gayot explains that when the tiny eatery is full, patrons line up outside, “;often with six-packs of beer under their arms,”; since the restaurant does not have a liquor license.

It also recommends that the “;uninitiated”; opt for rice instead of poi on the combination plates.