The Team

The YMCA functions as a partnership between volunteers and staff. We are always looking for individuals passionate about college access, career development, and service-learning opportunities to join our team.

YMCA STAFF

Sunshine Kuhia Smith

Programs & Communications Director

Bio coming soon.

Keahi Kaawa

ASSOCIATE sENIOR dIRECTOR

A lifelong participant in YMCA programs, I dreamt of being a lawyer and making a difference in our islands. However, after joining the Y as a staff and volunteer, it fostered my sense of purpose. I was able to work in many capacities, serving youth, adults, and our greater community. My journey led me to one of the greatest opportunities yet - the Atherton YMCA.

Since I joined the Atherton family, it had a great vibe and motivated students. It has been an honor to be a part of our growth. Together, we have increased our community outreach, engaged hundreds of students in leadership development, and traveled the islands and the world. And we’ve only just begun! Working with so many gifted and passionate young adults has led me to go back to school. I am a current student at Springfield College, pursuing my bachelor's degree in Human Services.

We constantly find opportunities to serve and learn, allowing Atherton YMCA to discover new avenues and partnerships for further impact. And I’m pleased to be a part of this ride. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Cassidy Inamasu

Executive Director

Getting through high school was a close call. With a less than 1.5 GPA, surviving a attempted overdose, and struggling with anxiety and depression, I made it. Looking for work after high school, I never suspected to find my passion, my strengths, and really, myself through what we do at the Y. Not to mention obtaining my Bachelor of Science in Sociology and pursuing my Masters in Public Administration. Opportunities to experience the world shaped my story.

Twelve years ago I participated in a service trip to the Philippines. It was my first international trip and it opened my eyes to a world of global service. Then, ten years ago I was a part of the US delegation participating in the YMCA of Europe's Roots for Reconciliation initiative in Armenia. The idea: to use YMCA programs as the vehicle for peace, reconciliation, and foundation of connection between the people of war torn states.

While we celebrate 150 years of service in Honolulu, we also wrap up Atherton YMCA's participation in the YMCA 175th anniversary in London. Seeing our students thrive at an international conference, catching up with friends from all walks of my own YMCA journey, and learning about the larger connection the YMCA has to other global organizations, especially the United Nations and Amnesty International, I am, for a lack of a better phrase, "fired up" to provide quality experiences like the ones afforded to me, and lead our YMCA into the coming years.

BRANCH BOARD OF MANAGERS

Lesli Yogi (Chair)
Atina Pascua (Vice Chair)
Kiman Wong (Finance)
Lauren Horikoshi (Secretary)
Ann Mahi
Bryce Uyehara
Carl Ackerman
Daniel Port
Kara Iwasaki
Malia Peters
Mike Kawaharada
Patrick Williamson
Stephanie Choi
Ben Dookchitra
Nainoa Heaston
Katie Kaahanui

Hawaii P-20, Communications & Engagement Specialist
UH Office of Civic & Community Engagement, Executive Director
Charter Communications, Director of Wireless & Government Affairs
Locations Hawaii, Senior Project Development Manager
Department of Education, Waianae-Nanakuli Complex Area Superintendent
Bryce E. Uyehara AIA Inc. Architecture, Principal Architect
Punahou Schools, Social Sciences Faculty
UH Shidler College of Business, Associate Professor of Information Technology Management
Kumabe HR, Vice President
UH Foundation, Senior Executive Director of Scholarship Development
Englekirk Structural Engineers, Principal
Ernest & Young LLP, Senior Manager Advisory Services, Financial Services
Stephanie C. Inc., Owner
Eagle Point Hotel Partners LLC, Senior Vice President
Avalon Health Care Group, Administrator in Training
Chamber of Commerce, Education & Workforce Development Coordinator

For a list of YMCA of Honolulu Board of Directors please click here.