HUGS Announces Four New Members to the Board of Directors

May 8, 2024

HONOLULU – HUGS (Help Understanding & Group Support), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Hawaii’s families with seriously ill children, announced the addition of four new members and the 2024 officers for its Board of Directors.

Newly elected Board members are:
• Keven Matsuura, Vice President for Finance Factors. Matsuura holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business and has previously worked for First Hawaiian Bank and Occidental Underwriters of Hawaii, Ltd. He also oversees the Kenneth and Diane Matsuura Foundation.

• Michael Tottori, Executive Vice President at First Hawaiian Bank. Tottori also served on HUGS Board of Directors in the past from 2007 - 2013. Currently Tottori also serves on the board for Aloha Harvest, Hawaii Meals on Wheels, and the Financial Planning Association of Hawaii.

• Joseph Castaneda, Principal Broker and Realtor Associate for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage West. Castaneda is also the President of HUGS Island Professionals (HIP), and belongs to the National Association of Realtors, Hawaii Realtors Young Professionals Network, Honolulu Board of Realtors Young Professionals Network of Oahu, and the Honolulu Board of Realtors Leeward Regional Group.

• Kelly Berganio, Manager/Case Manager for Dispute Prevention & Resolution, Inc. In her role, Berganio manages the office and schedules mediations and arbitrations. Berganio has been a supporter of HUGS since 2015.

The 2024 HUGS Officers of the Board of Directors are:
• President: Kanani Kealoha-Faleafine, Sr. Manager, Loyalty and Partnerships, Hawaiian Airlines
• Past-President: Ben Morgan
• Vice President: Julie Hirano Kaneko, Director of Marketing & Communications, aio Media Group
•Vice President: Charles Loomis, Retired
• Vice President: Kevin Yim, VP, Marketing, FCH Enterprises
• Treasurer: Catha Combs, CPA, Managing Director, Wikoff Combs & Co., LLC
• Sectary: David Ching, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

The 2024 HUGS Board includes the following additional Directors:
• Christian Chambers, Partner, Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild
• Ryan Chavoustie, VP of Sales & Marketing, Island Energy Services, LLC
• Calvert Chipchase IV, Partner, Cades Schutte, LLP
• Erin Kirihara, Sr. VP, Rider Levett Bucknall
• Kanani Kaopua, Sr. Vice President/Sr. Community Portfolio Manager, Hawaiian Properties, Ltd.
• Patrick Klein, Chief Revenue Officer, aio Media Group
• Kirsten Pennaz, RN, BSN, MBA, FACHE, Manager of Clinical Operations, Kapi`olani Medical Center for Women and Children
• Greg Pietsch, Owner and Operator, Sunset Ranch Hawaii
• Jody Shiroma, VP, Communications, PBS Hawaii

“I’m delighted to welcome Kelly, Keven, Joe and welcome back Michael to the HUGS Board of Directors.” said Maureen Purington, HUGS Executive Director. “Their unique knowledge and passion for our mission will add invaluable experience, perspective, and skills to our Board. Joe has done amazing things being president on HIP, and Keven, Kelly and Michael have been very supportive of HUGS over the years. I’m confident they will strengthen our organization and help us to further our mission of supporting Hawaii’s families with a seriously ill child.”

Media Contact:
Alex Wereszczynskyj
alex@hugshawaii.org