Meet Our Team
Providing Extraordinary Care and Support
The Hale Kū‘ike leadership team combines decades of experience and education, along with compassion and kindness to provide the highest level of care for its residents, and an excellent work environment for its team members. Get to know our leaders below.
In addition, Hale Kū‘ike employs some of the most talented and dedicated staff in Hawai‘i. Our team consists of nursing assistants, activity leaders, chefs, and more. Each are instrumental in providing extraordinary care and support for our residents and their families.
Management Team
David Fitzgerald
President
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2004
David grew up in South Louisiana. He spent much time with his grandparents and his close relationship with them inspired him to seek a career in caring for the elderly. Upon graduating from the University of Colorado, David followed his girlfriend (now Mrs. Fitzgerald) to Hawai‘i. After several years working at a large family-run business, he secured an administrator position at Pohai Nani.
David had always dreamed of opening his own care home, so he conducted research by personally visiting 20 of the most progressive care facilities in Europe. After a decade of growth at Pohai Nani, David left to fulfill his dream of creating Hale Kū‘ike and incorporating everything he had learned into a model dementia care home. David is also a Positive Approach to Care® Champion.
“It was because of the sacrifices and generosity of my grandparents that I was able to start Hale Kū‘ike,” says David. “By striving for excellence in the services that we provide, I hope to honor my grandparents and all kūpuna.”
Outside of work, David spends his time with his wife Kelley, and their two daughters, Grace and Emily. He enjoys canoe paddling, bicycling, eating delicious food, and most recently, hiking.
Dorothy Colby
Director of Community Engagement
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2005
Dorothy was born in Hawai‘i and raised in Hau‘ula on the island of O‘ahu. She attended Bryn Mawr College where she completed her Master’s degree. Dorothy has a very personal connection to dementia care: her grandmother, with whom she grew up, had Alzheimer's disease, her father had stroke-related dementia, and her father-in-law had Parkinson’s-related dementia.
Dorothy is a Positive Approach to Care® Trainer, Coach, Consultant, Engagement Leader, and National PAC Mentor. She is a dementia care specialist with more than 20 years of professional and personal experience in caring for people with dementia. She has worked at Hale Kū‘ike since 2005, helping residents and their families navigate through the course of the disease.
Dorothy’s mission is to help families understand what is happening to the brain of their loved ones who have dementia. Through her work at Hale Kū‘ike and her public education classes, Dorothy helps those who work with and care for people with dementia understand the process of brain failure. Dorothy’s philosophy is that by understanding that the brain is dying, we can empathize, adjust our approach and expectations, and connect and communicate with those who have dementia.
Chad Bara
Head Chef
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2016
Chad was managing business accounts at Borders Books and Music for 15 years, but when the company closed its doors, Chad realized he wanted to try something different. He had always wanted to learn how to cook so he enrolled at KCC’s Culinary Institute of the Pacific. This interest led to a Culinary Arts degree and the Culinary Institutional Food Service Management degree.
He started as a Line Chef at Hale Kū‘ike in 2016 and finds it a great place to work. “It’s really nice, and we have a great staff. I enjoy cooking for and spending time with the residents. And it’s not as hectic as cooking in a restaurant,” he says with a smile. In his current role as Head Chef, Chad oversees Hale Kū‘ike's Dietary staff and helps develop menus that are not only delicious, but also appropriate for the dietary needs of our residents. Chad is also a Positive Approach to Care® Champion.
Among his favorite things to cook are different kinds of fried chicken, like mochiko chicken and garlic chicken, and beef stews like boeuf bourguignon.
Pali Team
Imelda Villa
Administrator & Vice President of Operations
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2019
Imelda’s career has spanned the biotechnology, medical devices, and healthcare industries, which has provided her with a breadth of experience in many areas of business. Imelda joined the Hale Kū‘ike team in 2019 in a part-time HR role and was quickly promoted to Human Resources Director shortly after. She has since thrived as our Pali location's Administrator when she was promoted again in 2022, and most recently as Vice President of Operations in 2024.
She considers working at Hale Kū‘ike as one of her most rewarding professional experiences. “I find great joy in coming to work every day knowing I make a positive impact in the lives of our residents, their families, and our staff,” Imelda shares. As Administrator and VP of Operations, Imelda believes her ultimate role is to help Hale Kū‘ike continue to set the highest standards as a workplace, dementia-care residence, and leader in the industry.
Imelda has a degree in Biology from the University of Guam and an MBA from the University of California, Davis. She is also a certified Positive Approach to Care® Trainer and Coach.
Kristin Nishioka
Director of Nursing
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2017
Kristin began her career as an RN with Hale Kū‘ike in 2017. Before becoming Director of Nursing, Kristin worked as the Quality Assurance (QA) Nurse for all three locations. One of her primary responsibilities in that position was to ensure that the Nursing staff at all Hale Kū‘ike locations adhere to the same policies, procedures, and standards of care.
Kristin was first introduced to Hale Kū‘ike while getting her BSN at Chaminade University. She completed a clinical rotation at Bayside during which she helped the nursing staff and assisted with the resident activities. Her rotation led to part-time shifts, and eventually a full-time position. Says Kristin, “It’s great being a part of the Hale Kū‘ike family, providing quality care to all the residents at every facility. I enjoy seeing the residents participate in group activities and having fun together.” Kristin is also a Positive Approach to Care® Champion.
For her own off-work activities, Kristin likes spending time with her friends and family, watching movies, and drinking boba tea.
Joy Micua
Nursing Coordinator
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2006
Joy was born and raised in the Philippines where she also graduated with an RN/BSN degree. Her initial drive for going into Nursing was to find a stable job, be financially secure, and provide for her daughter’s future. But when she joined Hale Kū‘ike as a Nursing Assistant in 2006, her experience here began to transform her perspective about the nursing profession. Joy notes, “It no longer became just about the money but about how we help our elders.” She acknowledges that working with people with dementia can be challenging, but at the end of the day it’s rewarding to know that she makes a difference in their lives.
In 2019, Joy was promoted to Nursing Coordinator when the Pali facility opened. She now manages the schedule for Pali’s Nursing Assistants, maintains nursing supply inventory, and assists the Director of Nursing in all other department functions. Joy is one of Hale Kū‘ike’s Positive Approach to Care® Champions.
Breanna Block
Activities Director
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2019
Breanna’s experience with people living with dementia started in her youth, when her mom who was a CNA at a residential care home often brought her to work. She spent a lot of time after school with the residents and at age 16, she decided to pursue her own CNA training. Once she got a job as a CNA, she instantly fell in love with “her” residents! She took care of many patients with dementia who she says brought her so much joy every day.
By her early 20s, Breanna had tried many other career paths, but ultimately missed being a CNA and working with people with dementia. In 2019, when her husband got military orders to Hawai‘i, Breanna was hired at Hale Kū‘ike as an Activity Leader. In just a few short months in January 2020, Breanna was promoted to Activities Director.
“I love being the Activities Director at Hale Kū‘ike because it gives me the opportunity to really get to know the residents. And being from such a different background they teach me so many new things every day,” Breanna expresses. Breanna is also a Positive Approach to Care® Champion.
When she’s not running the activities program at Hale Kū‘ike Pali, Breanna can be found spending time with her dogs, traveling with her husband, snorkeling, and exploring the island.
Kat Knudson
Kitchen Manager
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2017
It was when Kat took her first culinary class in her junior year of high school that she realized culinary arts is what she wanted to do. She went on to get her A.S. degree in Culinary Arts from Kapi‘olani Community College. Her experience includes the esteemed Honolulu dining establishments, MW Restaurant and Fête, where she worked the line on opening night. In 2017, Kat brought her culinary talents to Hale Kū‘ike as a Line Chef and has since worked her way up to Kitchen Manager. She loves that she can cook while being in a work environment where she can interact with the residents. Kat is also a Positive Approach to Care® Champion.
Besides cooking (her favorite thing to cook is garlic chicken), Kat’s other passions include traveling, Disneyland and all things Disney, and watching football (Go Bears!).
Luna
Director of Pet Therapy
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2022
Luna is our Pali location live-in Labradoodle. She was trained by Hawai‘i Fi-Do as a companion service dog. Luna enjoys interacting with our residents and staff, scratches behind her ears, belly rubs, and long walks around the Nu‘uanu neighborhood.
Bayside Team
Scott Gardiner
Administrator
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2011
Raised on O‘ahu, Scott learned at an early age the importance of our kūpuna. He moved to California where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Gerontology. He worked for several years in an adult day program and in various social service settings.
Scott returned home to O‘ahu and became a Certified Geriatric Case Manager. For 12 years he assisted seniors as a Case Manager before joining the Hale Kū‘ike team in 2011 as the Director of Community Services. As the current Administrator of our Kāne‘ohe location, Scott continues his passion in assisting our kūpuna as a Positive Approach to Care® Trainer and Coach.
Beth Murphey
Director of Nursing
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2014
Beth started her career as a licensed social worker in the Philippines, working with non-government organizations and across different community sectors. Personal circumstances later convinced her to return to school for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, relocate to the U.S., and pursue a career as an RN. Beth started at Hale Kū‘ike in 2014 as a part-time RN after a friend urged her to apply to a “very cool” facility in need of a weekend nurse. She deems it a great opportunity to be part of the lives of residents and their families as they go through the different stages of dementia. Beth is a certified Positive Approach to Care® Trainer and appreciates Teepa Snow’s method of comparing these different stages to the characteristics of precious jewels — the GEMS®. Says Beth, “Our day-to-day work at Hale Kū‘ike makes these GEMS® meaningful, beautiful, and precious. We see that our residents, like gems, can still shine when given the right love and care.”
Beth assumed the role of Director of Nursing at Bayside in August 2015 and along with her commitment to providing the best care for our residents, enjoys mentoring young Nursing professionals in her department.
Ralph Manuel
Nursing Coordinator
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2014
Ralph joined the Hale Kū‘ike team in 2014 and it was here where he has gained most of his experience providing hands-on care to residents. In 2017, he was promoted to his current role as Nursing Coordinator. It exposed him to the administrative aspects of Nursing as he assisted the Director of Nursing with preparing for State Department of Health surveys, Office of Health Care Assurance monitoring, and managing the staff schedule for the Nursing Department.
As part of Hale Kū‘ike's leadership team, Ralph contributes to the creation of new policies, procedures, and training protocols to provide the best care to our residents based on the most up-to-date guidelines. Ralph is also one of Hale Kū‘ike’s Positive Approach to Care® Champions. He says, “Working at Hake Kū‘ike is like having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family that enjoys providing excellent care to our kūpuna.”
Rena Kua
Activities Director
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2014
Rena came to Hale Kū‘ike in 2014 after 10 years at One Kalakaua Senior Living. She was first drawn to Hale Kū‘ike because of its small family setting. “It’s a nice ‘ohana feeling when you’re here,” she explains.
Even from a young age Rena has always been quite at home with elders, and vividly remembers spending much of her childhood with kūpuna. “My great grandmother was at Ann Pearl (Nursing Facility) and I would often go with my grandparents to visit on weekends.” It was perhaps this time spent with kūpuna during her younger years that encouraged her to work with seniors as an adult. Today, Rena is one of our Activities Directors and is a certified Positive Approach to Care® Engagement Leader and Coach. She values that Hale Kū‘ike promotes “meaningful engagement” with its residents. Whether it’s to encourage a resident who can still write to keep a journal or lead a group to assemble care packages for military soldiers, Rena is happy to bring people together and help find fulfillment in their days. For her, Hale Kū‘ike has also become a family affair as she occasionally brings her grandchildren to visit the residents for some “intergenerational therapy.”
Rena’s favorite things about working at Hale Kū‘ike? Hearing residents tell rich stories (sometimes repeatedly) and still learn something from them, and working with a group of people who value each other and what they do. “Hale Kū‘ike is not just a workplace, it’s our residents’ home,” she says, which drives her to stay positive and do her best for the residents.
Pepper
Director of Pet Therapy
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2012
Our Bayside residents and staff enjoy the company of Pepper, the live-in Labradoodle. Pepper was trained by Hawai‘i Fi-Do as a companion service dog. She enjoys watching our chefs in action (safely from outside the kitchen) or sitting next to our residents and having her back rubbed.
Nu‘uanu Team
Marcus Asahina
Administrator & Vice President of Operations
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2009
Born and raised in Honolulu, Marcus has been with Hale Kū‘ike since 2009 and has made incredible contributions to the company through various positions he has held over the years, including Head Chef and Business Manager. He was promoted to Nu‘uanu’s Administrator in 2018 and again to Vice President of Operations in 2024.
He has earned degrees in Japanese and Business from the University of Puget Sound, in Culinary Arts from Kapi‘olani Community College, and is currently pursuing a Masterʻs degree in Integrative Nutrition from Bastyr University. He is also a certified Positive Approach to Care® Trainer and Coach.
Marcus sees a bright future for Hale Kū‘ike as Hawai‘i’s premier dementia-care residence. “I am very excited to help the company continue to grow and innovate to new heights. Our goal is to continually be setting the standard for memory care both in Hawai‘i and across the nation by fostering supportive, enriching environments where our residents can truly thrive.”
Jessica Marchese
Director of Nursing
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2004
When Hale Kū‘ike opened its doors in 2004, one of its first employees was Jessica, then a CNA Medication Aide. Driven by her dream to become a nurse, Jessica went to school while working part-time, first getting a Liberal Arts degree from Windward Community College, and then her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chaminade University. Throughout this time, she worked her way up from CNA to RN to her current role as Director of Nursing, all while raising two daughters.
Today, Jessica thrives on making a difference in the lives of Hale Kū‘ike residents. “They're a vulnerable group: they’re elderly, they have dementia. To me it’s rewarding to be able to watch over them and be their advocate,” she says. Hale Kū‘ike’s home-like setting fosters a closeness among its employees and its residents. Jessica appreciates that the staff gets to know each resident from the time they first walk in until their end of life. “This is their home and we really get to know them and their families,” Jessica states. “That's part of what makes me excited to go to work every day.” Jessica is one of Hale Kū‘ike’s Positive Approach to Care® Champions.
Cristina Domingo
Nursing Coordinator
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2006
Cristina joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2006 and worked her way up to her present role as Nursing Coordinator for our Nu‘uanu location. She plays an active and important role in ensuring nurse aide shifts are staffed adequately and the Nursing department is running smoothly. But aside from providing operational support, Cristina serves as one of Hale Kū‘ike’s Positive Approach to Care® Champions and daily employs its methods when working with our residents.
Reeann Minatoya
Activities Director
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2012
For Reeann, what began as a volunteer opportunity in high school developed into a growing career in Hale Kū‘ike’s Activities department. In the beginning, Reeann found it hard to interact with the residents as she considered herself naturally shy. But as she entered college and thought about her career choices, she realized she loved working with the Hale Kū‘ike residents and had a passion for creating activities for them. She felt even more affirmed when she discovered that Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care® justified many of the activities that she did with residents. Today she is one of Hale Kū‘ike’s Positive Approach to Care® Champions and the Activities Director at our Nu‘uanu facility. She is inspired by the residents she works with and finds great joy in coming to work each day.
Wesley Soliven
Kitchen Manager
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2020
Wesley started his culinary journey in Waipahu High School’s Culinary Arts Program, where his love for working in the culinary industry grew. From there he attended Leeward Community College’s culinary program. He went on to work as a line cook at local restaurants such as Big City Diner, Magnolia Bakery, and Stage Restaurant. After working abroad as a cafeteria cook in a Salmon Cannery in Kenai, Alaska, Wesley eventually brought his love for homecooked meals and fine dining to Hale Kū‘ike in 2020. He started as a Line Chef and was soon promoted to Kitchen Manager. Wesley loves the welcoming feel of Hale Kū‘ike and enjoys making the residents happy with food. Wesley is also a Positive Approach to Care® Champion.
In his free time, he loves traveling with his wife, making music, and BBQing with his family.
Cookie
Assistant Director of Pet Therapy
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2018
Cookie is our Nu‘uanu location live-in therapy pet. She respects Mimi as the boss of the house. She is an active Havanese who loves to sit on our residents’ laps or follow our staff around. She can often be found hanging out while our residents do their activities or napping under the table at the Nurses’ Station.
Mimi
Director of Pet Therapy
Joined Hale Kū‘ike in 2013
Mimi is a rescue from the Hawaiian Humane Society and is the live-in house cat at Nu‘uanu. She has our residents trained to let her in and out at will. She is very talkative and lets our residents know when it is time to feed her and when she wants to be petted. You will often find Mimi curled up on a chair next to a resident or snuggled up in their beds.
Vita
Our First
Served from 2007 to 2018
Vita, the Labradoodle, was Hale Kū‘ike’s first live-in therapy pet and was trained by Hawai‘i Fi-Do as a companion service dog. Sadly, we lost Vita in 2018. She was a good-natured, sweet girl who roamed our home freely and gave love wherever she went.
