About

Since 2004, Touch A Heart, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been offering informal social services and meals to homeless individuals and families at Blaisdell Park, Waianae Boat Harbor, and the Kumuhonua Shelter.

In 2014, we adopted a new mission and strategy, then revamped our organization’s activities to address the unique situation of those with barriers to employment, including incarceration, homelessness and substance abuse.

We partner with organizations that have underutilized commercial kitchens to conduct our food services vocational training and apprenticeship programs.

We also operate four social enterprises—for-profit businesses that provide training opportunities and support our mission.

 

Mission

Touch A Heart empowers and transforms those facing barriers to employment by providing vocational training in a healing and nurturing environment, creating pathways to a sustainable life.
 

Vision

We envision a world where people recognize their true value and can realize their full potential.
 

Values

Intent

Everything we do is with the purpose of achieving our vision, based on our mission. The work we do intentionally places us on a journey, a roadmap specifically developed with this future in mind.

Impact

We make a difference in our communities through the work we do. Through our relationships, services and products, we make an impact by touching and transforming lives.

Inspire

What we do and how we do it spurs and empowers others toward a higher future. May we become a force and influence that inspires others to realize their potential.

 

Touch A Heart is a community-based, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

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"I can’t even find the words to explain how much help, love, understanding and acceptance they've given me. They've given me confidence when I didn't have it in myself, helped raise my self-esteem, on top of giving me some actual work skills, which I lacked. Academically, I have a college education, but for work experience, I don't have much, so going through the internship here has given me hope to be able to be productive member of society."

—Lisa

Staff

Robin Kumabe
Robin Kumabe
Executive Director
Colin Kumabe
Colin Kumabe
Director of Operations & Training
Soleil Fusha
Soleil Fusha
Program Director
Lacey Kakinami
Lacey Kakinami
Operations Supervisor
Mae Chun
Mae Chun
Community Relations
Melissa Chun
Melissa Chun
Apprentice
Severino Isidro
Severino Isidro
Apprentice

Board

Dante Aragon
President
EMCC Hawaii
CEO
Lance Kakimoto
Treasurer
Morgan Stanley
Partner
Leigh Hamasaki
Member
Hamasaki Construction
Controller
Jaime Dominguez
Member
JD Painting & Decorating, Inc.
CEO
Veronica Leong
Member
Bacon Universal
Manager, Accounting & Senior Auditor

Partner with us!

We have a variety opportunities to be involved and support Touch A Heart!

 

Get Involved