Former Hawaii News Now Director Is Blangiardi’s New Spokesman
The mayor said the city did poorly last year “controlling the narrative.” He hopes a new communications director will change that.
Former Hawaii News Now news director Scott Humber is the new communications director for his old boss, former HNN general manager and current Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, the city formally announced on Monday.
Humber will replace former communications director Tim Sakahara who has taken a similar role with Central Pacific Bank.
At HNN, Humber managed a staff of 72 people and produced more than 50 hours of news every week, on air and online, according to a city press release. A recipient of multiple national awards, Humber was previously the assistant news director and executive producer of HNN’s morning show, Sunrise. He has more than 16 years of management experience, according to the city.
鈥淪cott Humber is a well-seasoned and highly respected news executive and journalist both locally and nationally,” Blangiardi said in a statement. “He is also an exceptional leader who knows and understands Hawaii, and the many challenging issues we face at every level of government, and in our communities.”
Blangiardi first shared the news of Humber’s hiring earlier this month during remarks to the Honolulu City Council. He said he hopes to “turn the corner” on the city’s messaging.
“We didn鈥檛 do well last year as far as controlling the narrative,” he said at the meeting. “I always felt like we need to do a better job at representing all the work we do collaboratively and collectively together, that includes Council as well.”
He added: “I think more than anything, we need to rebuild hope and gain trust and confidence in the general public. And how we do that is in our communication but more importantly our actions, but our actions, I want to be sure people know what we’re doing. And I felt like a lot of last year, what we got done, people didn鈥檛 know.”
At the Council meeting, Blangiardi alluded to “a couple of other colleagues” who will be joining his administration but did not name them.
In a statement, Humber said he is grateful to the mayor for the opportunity to be part of his team and serve the city.
鈥淚 look forward to working with the administration to communicate the incredible work that is being done at the City every day,” he said.
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