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LAURIE H. HAMANO,

M.ED., CRC, LMHC

lhamano@vmchawaii.com Laurie Hamano earned a Master's Degree in Counseling in Education (M.Ed.) from Oregon State University and graduated with her undergraduate degree from the University of Hawaii, Manoa Campus. She is a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC), registered in the State of Hawaii to counsel injured workers as well as a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC). She has been a registered vocational rehabilitation counselor for the past 36 years. She is now a Thought Field Therapy practitioner. Prior to entering the field of private vocational rehabilitation, Ms. Hamano worked for the State of Hawaii/Corrections for 8 years. Her job was to counsel furloughed inmates and assist them with job placement. As a provider of vocational rehabilitation services to injured workers for the past 36 years, Ms. Hamano has experience as both counselor and supervisor. She has assisted people with various physical and psychological injuries. She works as a vocational consultant with law firms requiring vocational evaluation and expert testimony. Presently, Ms. Hamano is Vice President and Owner of Vocational Management Consultants. Ms. Hamano has been actively involved with lobbying with the legislature and the assistance in founding the Hawaii Injured Workers Alliance now called Hawaii Injured Workers Association that was started in 2005. She is currently the Treasurer of Hawaii Injured Workers Association as well as a member in the International Association of Rehabilitation Providers (IARPS) and the Chamber of Commerce in Honolulu. She also has been a fitness instructor and now a Yoga instructor for Nu’uanu YMCA for the past 38 years. Ms. Hamano is a mother of two grown daughters and three dogs and sometimes takes care of her “grand-dogs”, Lilikoi, Mochi and Odie too!

KIRSTEN H.

YONAMINE, M.ED.,

CRC, LMHC

kyonamine@vmchawaii.com Kirsten H. Yonamine, M.Ed., CRC, LMHC, received her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1993. She completed her practicum with the State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and her internship with Winners at Work. While in the non-profit sector she worked with persons with severe to mild mental and physical challenges in both the Supported Employment and Fee for Service Program. She is a Senior Rehabilitation Specialist at Vocational Management Consultants. For the last 24 years, Ms. Yonamine has provided vocational assessments, counseling, and placement and training services to individuals within the worker’s compensation system in the private sector. She has also worked as a vocational consultant with law firms requiring vocational evaluations and expert testimony in personal injury, medical malpractice, divorce, family court and special education cases. She has also previously been involved with providing contracted services to the Veteran’s Administration with regard to Chapter 31 Vocational and Independent Living assessments and follow up. She additionally has worked with the Office of Workers Compensation Program (OWCP) with the Federal Government, servicing Federal injured workers in their return to work. Ms. Yonamine is the current President of the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals, Hawaii Chapter and member of the Hawaii Injured Worker’s Association group. She currently services clients on Oahu and Maui County.

NARITA MEANA, M.S.,

CRC, NCC

nmeana@vmchawaii.com Narita Meana (Reeta) graduated with her Master of Science in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science with specialization in Rehabilitation Counseling and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Leisure Science, specializing in Health/Exercise Science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She also obtained a Master of Business Administration in Sports Management and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Columbia Southern University. Prior to working with VMC, Reeta served on Active Duty in the United State Air Force as a Services and Personnel Officer; and 4 years civil service managing installation fitness centers for Air Force and Navy bases in Okinawa, Japan and in Joint Base Pearl-Harbor Hickam, Hawaii. Reeta was also a Graduate and Program Assistant for the University of Hawaii at Manoa Rehabilitation Counselor Education Program. Through this position, she worked closely with the Program Director in managing the RSA Scholarship Grant, program reaccreditation, and recruitment of prospective students seeking to become future rehabilitation counselors. Furthermore, Reeta also interned with the Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment office working with veterans with service- connected disabilities; and the Hawaii Division of Vocational Rehabilitation working with the general adult population with various disabilities. Reeta joined Vocational Management Consultants in January 2018 as an intern. Upon graduation in May 2018, Reeta moved into a vocational technician position and specialized in job development, specifically working with VMC’s clients in administering vocational testing, researching the labor market in the State of Hawaii, creating Job Analysis and providing job seeking skills training. In September 2018, Reeta became a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor registered with the State of Hawaii; and now counsels and assists clients in returning them to suitable and gainful employment. Reeta is a member of the National Council of Rehabilitation Educators (NCRE). As a graduate student, she was selected to present her research on “Student Veteran Readiness: Supporting Veterans with service-connected disabilities in higher education,” and “Imagine a Wellness Program for Rehabilitation Counselors: Adopting a Corporate Wellness Approach,” where VMC was highlighted as incorporating best practice activities by corporate standards. Reeta is also a member of the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP).

ANDREW ALEJANDRO

M.S., CRC

aalejandro@vmchawaii.com Andrew Alejandro received his Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology from California State University of Sacramento in 2015. He then received his Master of Science in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science from the University of Hawaii, Manoa is 2019. He became a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) in March of 2020. Andrew has experience working as a response to intervention (RTI) teacher for elementary students regarding the provision of specific learning and behavior support needs. He has also worked as a Service Coordinator for an Adult Day Health program where he was tasked to create and coordinate various care plans for adults with developmental, cognitive, and physical disabilities, to assist in the teaching and maintaining of personal and educational goals identified by the participants. Andrew has dedicated over 10 years to working alongside individuals with disabilities and has enjoyed providing his services to those in need. Andrew believes that everyone possesses their own specific and unique skillsets that can contribute to the current workforce. Thus, everyone possesses the ability to receive meaningful employment.