Hawaii Team

We are proud to have an extremely talented and experienced staff, who each have specialized training in cochlear implants and the development of listening and spoken language. Our distinguished presenters are some of the leading experts in the field.

Administrators

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    • Julie Cooper, MS, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT
    • Executive Director
    • Julie Cooper is the executive director of the Baker Institute for Children with Hearing Loss. She founded the Listen to Me! Conference at Stanford in 2009 and is honored to be supporting the expansion of this program to Hawaii, Kenya, and virtually to Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Julie also directs the Baker Scholars Tele-intervention Program. She previously served as the speech-language pathologist on the cochlear implant team at Stanford from 2008 to 2013. Additionally, Julie has provided LSL therapy at the Weingarten Children's Center since 2007. Her education includes a BA from Calvin College, an MS in speech-language pathology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a listening and spoken language specialist certification in auditory verbal therapy. Julie’s favorite part about leading the Baker Institute programs is empowering families and witnessing the beautiful results—well-spoken children who go on to lead inspiring lives.
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    • Jennifer Clark, MA, Early Childhood D/HH Specialist
    • Director of Outreach, LTM Hawaii
    • Jennifer Clark is an Early Childhood Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist and is the Director of Outreach for Listen to Me! Hawaii. Previously, Jennifer was the Department of Health’s Early Intervention Specialist for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children ages birth-three. Jennifer has a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fresno, in Sign Language Interpreting and a Masters Degree from Gallaudet University in Family Centered Early Deaf Education. Her favorite part of working with families with deaf and hard of hearing children is connecting them with other families and helping them to build a network of support and resources.
    • Kimi-Perez
    • Kimi Perez, MS, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert AVT
    • Director of Curriculum, LTM Hawaii
    • Kimi Perez is the Director of Curriculum for LTM Hawaii. She is currently the only Speech language Pathologist on island to be certified as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist, Auditory Verbal Therapist, since 2019. Kimi also serves as Vice President for Hawaii Chapter of AG Bell. She currently Works at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and children. Her favorite part of her job is being able to see the evolution of a child’s development and helping them to become the best versions of themselves.
    • Lori-Wiley
    • Lori Wiley, PhD (Education-Exceptionalities), AuD, CCC-A, Audiologist
    • Director of Development and Event Planning, LTM Hawaii
    • Lori Wiley serves as Listen to Me! Hawaii’s Director of Development and Event Planning. She has a background in clinical pediatric audiology with interest in early literacy and has spent the last several years in academia. Beyond formal training, she has learned valuable lessons about supporting and advocating for the needs of children with disabilities within the crucible of her own family life. Lori and her husband are parents of now young adult triplet sons, all of whom had received early intervention services, and two sons received specialized services and supports in the public schools (special education, 504 accommodations). She is delighted to return to the (re)habilitative side of the Audiology profession and describes her work with Listen to Me! Hawaii as a dream come true—to be a part of a program committed to empowering families.

Mentees

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    • Carole Duran, M.A., CCC-SLP
    • LSL Mentee
    • Carole Duran is the State of Hawaii Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) for Deaf Education program. She started working with Deaf students at Hawaii School for the Deaf and Blind in November of 2011. This is where she learned American Sign Language (ASL) and decided to focus her skills working with students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind. She transitioned to working at the state level at the beginning of the 2016 school year. At the state level Carole supports Deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind students across the state of Hawaii. She provides consultation and training, assessment and recommendations for Specially Designed Instruction (SDI), as well as technical support to schools/districts, admin/teachers, teachers of the deaf (TOD) and other professionals in addition to providing direct services to students. Carole has over 11 years of experience including her time at the Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind. Carole has seen first-hand the impact of early, fluent language access and strives to ensure that access for all students, especially those who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind. She is currently working on her LSL certification in auditory verbal therapy.
    • Melissa-Mills
    • Melissa Mills, Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing
    • LSL Mentee
    • Melissa Mills is an itinerant teacher of the deaf/hard of hearing. She currently works for the Department of Education in Maui School District, supporting students who are deaf/hard of hearing, ages 3 through 21. Melissa has a bachelor’s degree from University of Hawaii at Manoa and a Masters degree from University of Northern Colorado in Special Education: Deaf/Hard of Hearing. She is currently working on her LSL certification in auditory verbal education services. She is excited to be a part of the Listen to Me Hawaii Mentee Cohort, to be able to support the families and children who are deaf/hard of hearing in Hawaii.
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    • Makiko Ogawa, MS, CCC-SLP
    • LSL Mentee
    • Makiko is a licensed speech-language pathologist, bilingual in English and Japanese. She received Bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University and earned Master’s degree in Communication Disorders from Adelphi University. She is currently a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist in Hawaii, working with the family and the children from 0-3 years old through Easterseals Hawaii Kailua Early intervention program. Previously, she worked with both adult and pediatric population in a various clinical setting, including acute hospitals such as Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital HEB and Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center Fort Worth, rehabilitation hospitals, private and public schools, home health and the Head Start programs in the states of Texas as well as Hawaii. Currently, she has been working toward attaining the LSL certification in auditory verbal therapy (LSLS cert. AVT).
    • Adrienne-Pasman
    • Adrienne Pasman, MS, CCC-SLP
    • LSL Mentee
    • Adrienne is a nationally licensed speech-language pathologist who also holds state credentials in Hawaii, Indiana, and Washington. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Eastern Michigan University, and her Master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Purdue University. Adrienne is bilingual in English and Tagalog, and has worked with clients and families who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in varied settings from early intervention to school-age. She is an advocate for neurodiversity-affirming practices. Adrienne currently provides speech and language services on Maui with Talk Story Speech Therapy.
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    • Allison Tanaka, MEd, NBCT, Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing
    • LSL Mentee
    • Allison Tanaka is a National Board Certified Teacher specializing in Exceptional Needs—Early Childhood through Young Adulthood—Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She earned her Master’s degree in Special Education for Deaf Education and Mild/Moderate Disabilities from the University of Hawaii and her Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Washington. She has been teaching in numerous capacities since 1996 and is currently an aural-oral preschool teacher. She wants to inspire students to explore their passions and continue to be life-long learners.
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    • Jamie Uesato, MS, CCC-SLP
    • LSL Mentee
    • Jamie Uesato has been working as a Speech-Language Pathologist for Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children since 2004. She has been working with children with hearing loss for nearly 20 years, and is thrilled to start her journey to become a certified Auditory Verbal Therapist. She is continually amazed by the children & families with whom she works, and loves being a part of their growth, and watching them flourish.

Presenters & Staff

    • Christy-Chadwick-Hawaii-2022
    • Christy Chadwick, MSDE, MA MFT
    • Parent Support Group Leader
    • Christy Chadwick serves as the Parent Support Group Leader for LTM Hawaii. She has a Masters in Deaf Education and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She serves as the President of the Hawaii Chapter of AG Bell and Maui county representative for Hawaii Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Christy founded Hawai'i Hears, LLC, an organization advocating for deaf education services in Hawaii that provides support and education for parents and professionals. She also offers connections to the deaf community through @DeafnessRelations on Instagram and a family community called Bridging The Gap for hearing parents of children with hearing loss. Her joy comes from empowering families and helping them connect with their child.
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    • Tami Hiraishi
    • Volunteer Coordinator
    • Tami Hiraishi is our LTM! Hawaii Volunteer Coordinator. She currently works as an educator with the Department of Education. Tami and her younger son, Tage, both have bilateral sensorineural hearing loss since birth and have benefited tremendously with the use of cochlear implants. She and her family are LTM! California 2016 Alumni, where they gained valuable resources and met new families. She is very excited that LTM has expanded to Hawaii, where she feels families will be able to access expert resources, education, as well as support for their on-going needs.
    • Briana-Horgan
    • Briana Horgan, AuD, CCC-A
    • Invited Presenter
    • Briana Horgan has been practicing audiology for more than nine years. Originally from New England, Briana has been living and working as an audiologist in Hawaii since 2015. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences from the University of Vermont and her Doctor of Audiology from University of Massachusetts Amherst. Prior to working in Honolulu, Dr. Horgan finished her doctoral externship and then continued working as a clinical audiologist at Penn State Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Briana has experience treating patients across the lifespan with specific focus in pediatrics, cochlear implants and hearing aids. She holds accreditation and certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech & Hearing Association.
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    • Marci Kometani, MA, CCC-SLP
    • LSL Teacher Assistant
    • Marci Kometani is a speech-language pathologist. She currently works for the Department of Education in the Honolulu District and for the University of Hawaii Communication Sciences and Disorders Department as a clinical instructor. Marci has a bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a Minor in American Sign Language from Idaho State University. She received a Masters degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from University of Hawaii. Marci has experience working with speech and language disorders in the pediatric population. She is eager to learn and incorporate principles of LSL into practice and into her instruction at the University of Hawaii.
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    • Carol Nakamoto
    • Photographer
    • Carol Nakamoto is a photographer for Listen to Me! Hawaii. She is a content creator and uses photography to help companies and organizations create impactful digital content that reaches their audience and inspires action through visual storytelling. Carol loves Listen to Me!’s mission and feels honored to be a part of their Hawaii team. She and her family members know the value of being a part of a supportive deaf and hard of hearing community and they have experienced firsthand the benefit of using cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing aids.
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    • Grace Park, MS SLP Candidate, May 2023
    • Baby Hui Teacher
    • Grace had a concentration in Studies in Disabilities while working for the NYC Board of Education as a Paraprofessional. Coupled with volunteer work and ASL courses, Grace grew to have an appreciation for Deaf Culture and her Deaf friends. Grace attended Minnesota State University-Mankato to complete her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. She is interested in additional training to better serve the multilingual population, particularly those who use spoken Korean and American Sign Language. She is thrilled to be a part of the Listen To Me! Hawaii Cohort to better equip families with resources, knowledge and awareness of a larger community to support them in setting their children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing up for success!
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    • Beverly Reidy
    • Invited Presenter
    • Beverly Reidy is currently the Education & Training Coordinator for Leadership in Disabilities & Achievement of Hawaii. LDAH is the Parent Training Center funded by Office of Special Education Programs. Bev comes to us with more than 40 years of experience in the world of special education. She has been a teacher and special education administrator in Indiana, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii.
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    • Krista Schoppy, MD
    • Invited Presenter
    • Dr. Krista Schoppy was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii. She studied anthropology at Stanford University then returned to Hawaii for medical school. She completed her residency in otolaryngology, followed by a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology at Stanford University. After training, she moved back to Hawaii with her husband (fellow otolaryngologist, Dr. David Schoppy) to serve the pediatric community of the Aloha State. She is in private practice with Dr. LehnAhn Tran and serves as the Division Chair of Otolaryngology at Kapiolani Center for Women and Children. In her non-clinical time, she is committed to clinical research and is currently working towards a Masters at the University of Hawaii in Qualitative Health Sciences.