OTAH Officers and Committee Chairs
We are in process of electing new officers! Please check back for updates!
Stacie Kamitaki, Treasurer
Stacie received her Bachelor’s Degree in business at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA and her OTD from Creighton University in Omaha, NE. Since then she has moved back home to Honolulu in 2016 and has been working at Kaiser Permanente with adult patients in the outpatient setting. Outside of work Stacie enjoys staying busy with trying new foods, staying active, being outside, and enjoying the company of family and friends.
Kara Crosson, Secretary
Kara is born and raised in Hawaii and is a graduate of Creighton University where she received her OTD. She currently works in the outpatient setting at Kaiser Permanente. Kara has been a member of OTAH since 2010 and has served as secretary since 2019. What she enjoys most about occupational therapy is interacting with her patients as she helps them get back to their meaningful activities.
Steve Nakata, Honolulu Board of Directors
Steve is a Rehabilitation Services Supervisor at Kaiser Permanente Oahu Clinics. After graduating from Kapiolani Community College (KCC) Occupational Therapy Assistant program in 1989, Steve worked part time at Queen’s Medical Center for a year while employed full time at Rehab Hospital of the Pacific for 9 years and is currently employed at Kaiser Permanente for 22 years.
Steve has served as past treasurer and president on the OTAH board and is currently serving as Oahu director.
Steve holds an AS from KCC, BS in Healthcare Administration, and MBA from University of Phoenix.
Claire Nagatori, Outer Island Board of Directors
Claire received her BS in OT from the University Puget Sound in 1983. After completing her fieldwork assignments in Washington state, she moved back home to Oahu. Worked for 9 years at Hawaii State Hospital and then 2 years at Kalihi Palama Mental Health Clinic as a Vocational Rehab Specialist. Later she moved to Hilo to work at Hilo Medical Center. She would rotate working on all the units including acute behavioral health, acute medical/ surgical, long term care, home health, and in the outpatient clinic. For the past 7 years, She primarily worked in the outpatient clinic. She is grateful to be a part of an amazing profession and for this opportunity to represent the outer island therapists.
Kari Whitaker, Education Committee Chair
Kari Whitaker graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science (cum laude) and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. She started her occupational therapy career in acute care rehabilitation with additional experience in inpatient rehabilitation and subacute rehabilitation settings and is currently working full time in outpatient rehabilitation services. Kari has future goals to pursue certifications in both hand therapy and neurological disorders in outpatient rehabilitation.
She maintains current active status with NBCOT and Hawaii State Licensure and is a current member of AOTA and OTAH. She has been chairperson or member of OTAH’s education committee for over 10 years including planning and executing the annual state conference and variety of seminars as well as other continuing education opportunities. OTAH had its first virtual conference October 2020, which was a completely different undertaking and learning experience all on its own! In addition, Kari has been a guest lecturer at KCC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.
Kari enjoys participating in volleyball and basketball activities; fun fact – she has successfully finished 3 marathons. She loves spending time with her husband and two energetic sons.
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OT Association of Hawaii 
Hi Hayden,
Please contact places that you’re interested in volunteering at directly. We do not make volunteer referrals. The best bet is thinking of the places you want to be at and contacting them.
Thanks!
Jennifer, thanks for stopping by. Please email your survey to us at otassociationofhawaii@gmail.com
Hello,
My name is Lesli Wang. Unsuccessful in finding a portable toilet safety that would allow my Mom to safely use a toilet away from home, I invented the Free2Go Rollator, the first product to combine bathroom safety AND mobility. My product has been extremely well-received by OTs here on the mainland. I will be on Oahu September 20th – 27th, and would love an opportunity to meet with OTs to discuss this innovative product. If you happen to have any meetings during that time, is it possible for me to join? I would be happy to provide snacks/refreshments.
Please visit us at http://www.free2gomobility.com.
Thank you!
Lesli
Free2Go Mobility Products
Hello OTAH
My name is Gary. I am looking for confirmed dates for the 2017 OTAH conference. The only information posted here is from last year. I need to book tickets in the next two days if possible. What are the confirmed dates and is there a listing of workshops yet?
I noticed last year seemed more oriented for school OT. Will there be some workshops for physical disabilities this year?
Mahalos
Gary
We will be posting some info on this shortly. Thank you!
Does anyone of the officers know if it’s ethical and the scope of practice for a COTA to do progress notes in Hawaii?
Hawaii follows Medicare rules. Your company may also have policies on progress notes also. Please email otassociationofhawaii@gmail.com for further questions.
Does OTAH have an archivist? My mother was an OTR at Queen’s Hospital in 1933-45. Who can I contact to get more information about my mother’s work there. She was elected President of OTAH in 1945.