2025
Community Impact
Table of Contents
From Our CEO
Throughout 2025, we have been deeply grateful for the support that has allowed Easterseals Hawaii to continue making meaningful differences in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. With this responsibility in mind, our focus remains on continuing to provide the types of care that meet the needs of our community.
By 2030, the number of individuals with I/DD over the age of 60 is expected to nearly double, highlighting the growing need for comprehensive, lasting services. At the same time, 1 in 6 children today is diagnosed with a developmental disability. Together, these trends reinforce the need for our commitment to providing a full continuum of care—supporting individuals and families at every stage of life.
In response, our work continues to center on three core priorities:
- Lifelong Services, offering support from birth through adulthood and into older age
- Individualized Care, tailored to each person’s goals, culture and unique needs
- Family-Centered Support, including caregiver coaching, burnout prevention and stress-reduction resources
The impact of this work is significant. Last year alone, Easterseals Hawaii delivered more than 262,000 hours of service to over 1,800 families—an average of nearly 720 hours of care, treatment and support every single day.
This growth has been made possible by our dedicated and highly skilled teams. With nearly 200 practitioners delivering and supporting care across the Islands, the results spoke for themselves with an overall Client Satisfaction score of 4.72 (out of 5)—one of our highest yet.
None of this would be possible without you. Your partnership and generosity are essential to our success, and we invite you to read on to learn more about the impact we are making together.
Throughout 2025, we have been deeply grateful for the support that has allowed Easterseals Hawaii to continue making meaningful differences in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. With this responsibility in mind, our focus remains on continuing to provide the types of care that meet the needs of our community.
By 2030, the number of individuals with I/DD over the age of 60 is expected to nearly double, highlighting the growing need for comprehensive, lasting services. At the same time, 1 in 6 children today is diagnosed with a developmental disability. Together, these trends reinforce the need for our commitment to providing a full continuum of care—supporting individuals and families at every stage of life.
In response, our work continues to center on three core priorities:
- Lifelong Services, offering support from birth through adulthood and into older age
- Individualized Care, tailored to each person’s goals, culture and unique needs
- Family-Centered Support, including caregiver coaching, burnout prevention and stress-reduction resources
The impact of this work is significant. Last year alone, Easterseals Hawaii delivered more than 262,000 hours of service to over 1,800 families—an average of nearly 720 hours of care, treatment and support every single day.
This growth has been made possible by our dedicated and highly skilled teams. With nearly 200 practitioners delivering and supporting care across the Islands, the results spoke for themselves with an overall Client Satisfaction score of 4.72 (out of 5)—one of our highest yet.
Looking to 2026, we welcome Patrick Klein as Easterseals Hawaii’s new CEO, previously Vice President of Programs. As our team grows, so does our ability to reach more individuals and families across the Islands who depend on these services.
None of this would be possible without you. Your partnership and generosity are essential to our success, and we invite you to read on to learn more about the impact we are making together.
Patrick Klein
CEO, Easterseals Hawaii
Every dollar raised stays right here in Hawaii.
Your Generosity in Action
The work we do across our state is made possible thanks to our generous supporters and reflects the impact the community has in making the world a more equitable place for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Just as our clients and families choose their path, you’ve also chosen yours—one of giving and inclusion.
Together, we can close the gaps in service for families throughout their lifespan to provide the kind of care they need.
What We Do
For over 75 years, Easterseals Hawaii has provided services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), and their families, so they can choose their own path. Annually we provide over 262,000 hours of direct service, benefiting individuals and families across the Islands. We are reimagining how care and support can be better connected to fill gaps in human services across an individual’s life span.
Early Intervention
We support families in the fostering of a rich, nurturing environment for development and prioritize strengthening relationships between keiki ages 0-3 and their caregivers. Our goal at Easterseals Hawaii is to provide each child with the opportunity to reach their full potential, whatever that may be.
Autism Services
Everyone is unique. That’s why individuals and families receiving Easterseals Hawaii’s services are offered customized treatment plans to meet their personal goals and needs. A care team is assigned to each client and is responsible for creating and implementing their individual course of treatment.
Adult Services
We find that our participants thrive when they are provided with experiences that align with their interests and goals. Independence and confidence are increased when there are opportunities for meaningful participation and interactions in our community, and we believe that Hawaii is strengthened by the contributions individuals with I/DD can make.
Employment Services
Our Employment Services Program supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in finding meaningful, competitive employment within their communities. Using a person-centered approach called Discovery, we work closely with job seekers and their support networks to identify individual strengths, interests and skills.
Early Intervention
What We Do
Our Early Intervention (EI) programs support children from birth to age 3 as they reach key developmental milestones that lay the foundation for lifelong success. Through a personalized, evidence-based approach, each child receives individualized support from highly trained professionals, delivered either in the home or at one of our centers.
Caregivers play a central role in every session and are coached on how to engage with their child in ways that support their unique development. By building skills through play, both children and caregivers learn strategies that transform everyday moments into meaningful therapy—creating a practical toolbox families can use anytime, anywhere.
It’s very rewarding watching families grow in their own potential and have the confidence to encourage other families to explore their own potential as well.
What We Accomplished
Throughout 2025, our teams across the Islands partnered with various local organizations to make big impacts on keiki and families. Most notably, our Hilo center participated in community collaborations focused on continuity of care and early identification of delays and disabilities, as well as early literacy and language development.
In 2026, our teams will be focusing on continuing their community outreach through local events and partnerships. In Central Oahu, we’ll be partnering with a local community garden promoting hands-on learning experiences with a focus on healthy eating.
Also on Oahu, we’ll be participating in various conferences and conventions for both the general public and military families, offering resources and education about early interventions and developmental milestones.
Meet Janelle
Janelle has been with Easterseals Hawaii’s Early Intervention (EI) program in Hilo, delivering quality care to families since 2022; however, she’s been working in the EI field for over 30 years. She comes from a large family, being one of 6 children, and her ever-growing extended family has always been a spark for working with keiki and families. “Hands down, my favorite part is being able to connect, interact and establish rapport with families while building relationships,” Janelle says.
With the strategies and philosophies of care at Easterseals Hawaii, Janelle knows it’s all about empowerment. Using a coaching model, caregivers gain the confidence and skills to be their child’s advocate and at-home interventionist outside of session time. “They can effectively manage the day-to-day and feel prepared to handle any challenges that may arise,” Janelle says. “That extends outside the home, but also school and other groups and resources in the community.”
Janelle is honored to manage the EI program at Hilo, inspiring her team of dedicated practitioners to continue providing high-quality care that fills gaps for families and remains a constant.
Adult Services
What We Do
With the right support, adults with I/DD can thrive in their communities—building friendships, strengthening life skills and finding meaningful work. Easterseals Hawaii’s Adult Day Health programs help participants grow in independence, self-determination and community connection through individualized and group-based learning.
Our programs range from group and individual, and also include Personal Assistance Habilitation (PAB) services to assist with and build skills in daily tasks like hygiene, feeding and dressing, and Community Learning Services (CLS) that focus on community-based support and inclusive activities.
What We Accomplished
Our program continued to see growth in 2025, with several program manager promotions, a new statewide Employment Services Manager and a new Director of Adult Services. Employment Services has expanded with specialists now on Oahu and Hawaii Island.
One participant successfully earned her Zumba instructor certification under the mentorship of her Direct Service Professional, Tanya. A fellow instructor herself, Tanya was also honored as the 2025 Special Olympics Volunteer of the Year.
Not only do we have fun, but we are all working towards supporting our participants to live their lives fully.”
Meet Alexandra
A talented artist and star employee at her two jobs, Alexandra uses art to reduce stress and connect with nature. She’s had artwork shown at galleries and printed in calendars, and she’s also an active disability advocate through her local and state chapters of the Self-Advocacy Advisory Council.
Alexandra works 2 jobs and is also a talented artist and a participant in Easterseals Hawaii’s adult program on Kauai. She began creating art in 2014, which ranges from realistic depictions of animals to more whimsical abstractions, and her mediums span pencil line drawings to oils and acrylics. Her inspiration, however, always seems to start with nature.
“I love nature and different animals such as turtles and butterflies,” Alexandra shares. “Some of my favorite art styles are Japanese drawings, anime and paintings of Japanese wrestlers, birds, octopus and superheroes.”
Alexandra gets a great benefit from making art. Her work was recently shown at Easterseals Hawaii’s Art for All event in 2024 at Capitol Modern in Honolulu along with other adult participants from ESH’s services, and she’s had several paintings featured in galleries, calendars and more.
Autism Services
What We Do
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a widely used treatment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is a scientific approach focused on creating meaningful behavior change through the assessment, design, implementation and evaluation of social and environmental supports.
We offer center-based and in-home ABA services in both one-to-one and group settings, interest-based Social Skills Groups, and Caregiver-Led ABA services that coach caregivers in ABA principles to support their loved one’s treatment. These proven, flexible models are designed to meet the needs of families with busy schedules or goals beyond standard session times.
What We Accomplished
In 2025, we served 11 new families on Oahu and completed 22 Diagnostic Evaluations, helping families find the care they need with the provider that fits those needs. We completed nearly two dozen episodes of care, meaning these clients were successfully discharged from our care after reaching their treatment goals.
Our program also participated in several community events to support the community and the families in our care, including the Hele for Autism Walk on Oahu. We look forward to joining several other notable disability conventions in 2026!
As we look ahead, our most exciting development in the works is partnering with Early Intervention Services throughout the state to offer services.
2025
Working in ABA is meaningful because we see real progress every day. The services we provide help individuals and families build skills that support long-term success.
Meet Alan
Wanda coaches Alan’s parents in ABA strategies that build functional communication, helping Alan express his needs and better understand directions. This two-way communication reduces frustration and helps Alan respond when his parents need him to stop or stay close. Alan has made strong progress in responding to his name, making choices, communicating his wants, and following safety-related instructions. To practice these skills, Wanda and Alan’s parents use fun, play-based activities like “stop trials.” Games such as jumping on a mini trampoline or playing “stop-and-go” help Alan learn to control his body and respond when told to stop—skills that are critical for staying safe in the community.
With more than a decade of experience, Wanda emphasizes that every treatment plan is unique. “Each client has different goals,” she says, “and it truly takes a team to support them.” Alan’s parents are grateful for the guidance and support they receive, especially around safety. They cherish his curiosity and excitement, and the tools they’ve gained through Easterseals Hawaii help him explore the world in ways that are both joyful and safe.
Employment Services
What We Do
Our Employment Services Program delivers personalized support that promotes community inclusion through competitive employment. We believe everyone—regardless of diagnosis, including intellectual or developmental disabilities—deserves the opportunity to contribute their skills to the workforce if they choose.
Working closely with each job seeker and their circle of support, our team uses person-centered planning through a process called Discovery to identify individual strengths, interests and abilities. This customized employment approach connects job seekers with meaningful opportunities while helping local employers meet real business needs—creating lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships across Hawaii’s business community.
What We Accomplished
In 2025, we were thrilled to see 4 of our participants secure meaningful work—a goal of theirs as adults who want to contribute to their community and gain independence through employment.
Being guided by a philosophy that everyone deserves the opportunity to utilize their skills and interests in employment, the program facilitated not only the training and on-site support for employed participants, but also a boost to their confidence.
Another accomplishment from 2025 we’re proud to highlight is our summer Pre-Employment Transition Solutions (ETS) classes offered to high school students with I/DD. They were able to learn about various jobs and career paths for the first time, and we look forward to offering this kind of education again to the five schools already signed up in 2026.
Our program empowers youth and adults to uncover their strengths and ultimately thrive in workplaces that recognize and value their unique talents.
Meet Eliciya
Eliciya is the new Statewide Manager of the Employment Services program at ESH, and she’s excited to continue building on the great work the team has already been doing. She’s most looking forward to expanding the impact of the program, which matches job seekers with ideal roles in the community that suit their strengths—a process called Discovery.
“To me, this program represents possibilities for our participants. Many individuals with disabilities, and even their families, haven’t been given the opportunity to imagine meaningful employment as part of their story,” says Eliciya. “Our program is based on the idea that everyone deserves that opportunity, and it ties into our purpose. Our participants choose their own path.”
The team works hard connecting with high school students with disabilities to start early in chasing their dreams of having careers, as well as providing on-the-job guidance for employed participants, training for their fellow employees and managers, and overall strengthening Hawaii’s diverse economy.
Events and Impact
Tasting in the Dark Fundraiser
Guests joined us for an evening of wine and appetizer pairings, all while blindfolded, to enhance the sensory experience. Led by Dr. Hoby Wedler, who was born blind, the unique fundraiser featured curated bites and sips, a moving speech by a participant’s mother, and raised over $22,000! Join our next event
Eggs ‘n Things Fundraiser
Longtime supporter Eggs ‘n Things hosted their annual dine-in fundraiser for our programs at their restaurants on Oahu, bringing in nearly $3,000 and giving our participants and staff an opportunity to raise awareness and chat with patrons at several locations. Partner with us to fundraise
Matson Gingerbread Contest
After decades of support from Matson during the holiday season, 2025’s festive fun for Early Intervention families was in the form of a gingerbread house contest. With over 300 kits donated by Matson, EI families decorated their gingerbread houses and sent in photos with ten families being selected to receive $100 gift cards—also courtesy of Matson. Learn More
Hele for Autism Walk
Our Autism Services team had seven members join the event running a resource booth for families participating in the walk to raise awareness for autism. Several familiar faces stopped by, and lots of new families came to learn about our Diagnostic Evaluations and program. We look forward to joining the walk again in 2026!
Every day we worked together in 2025, we reached more individuals and families:
1,872
individuals and families served annually
177
ESH practitioners delivering care
Over
262,000
total hours of services provided to individuals
22
Diagnostic Evaluations performed
4.72
overall Client Satisfaction score (out of 5)
Over 30,000
visits to our website to seek information
Your Giving
21
corporate and community partners
Over 24k
raised at events
8.7%
increase in donors year-over-year
Over $215k
in grant funding awarded
A Legacy of Care
A longtime supporter thoughtfully included Easterseals Hawaii in his estate plans, committing a legacy gift to ensure individuals and families facing gaps in care across our Island communities continue to receive the services they need to thrive.
This meaningful act honored the memory of his beloved sister, who received Easterseals Hawaii services for many years, and reflects the lasting impact that compassionate planning can have—today and for generations to come.
Our Board in Action
Alex Lim
Chad Asato
Connie Santilli
Danielle Yafuso
Doug Chin
Josh Stinson
Kellie Arakaki-Kodama
Terri Fujii
Tim Sakahara
Get Involved
Now that you’ve learned about our impact in 2025, you can be part of our impact in 2026! Join us by donating, sharing our social media posts, and attending our fundraisers throughout the year.
Connect with Us