From Our Community, for Our Community.
Like many things in Hawaiʻi, healthcare is complex. We understand the health of our community is dependent on an interwoven ecosystem of resources and providers, as well as social, cultural, economic, and geographic factors. And we understand that the only way to transform our healthcare system is by working together.
Community First is proud to lead that charge. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we serve as a catalyst for community-led solutions to improve healthcare access, affordability, and health outcomes for all Hawaiʻi Island residents.
Our vision is a Hawaiʻi Island where we embrace our kuleana for our personal and community health by collectively working to expand access to quality, affordable, culturally-informed healthcare.
Community First is a proud member of the National Rural Health Association and the Hawai’i State Rural Health Association, and is certified by USFCR to apply for federal grants.
Hawaiʻi Island Roots
Community First was founded in 2014 by the late Barry Taniguchi, CEO of KTA Super Stores and dedicated community service advocate. For over a decade, we have convened Hawaiʻi Island communities and healthcare stakeholders to collectively advance strategies and policies that improve equitable access to quality, affordable healthcare, both on Hawaiʻi Island and across our state.
Our Impact: Connecting for Change
Our systems-focused programs have improved healthcare delivery and community health on Hawaiʻi Island, increased health literacy amongst disadvantaged patient populations, and enhanced collaboration between healthcare and social service organizations throughout Hawaiʻi Island. Community First has emerged as the trusted convener in the healthcare and social services space on Hawaiʻi Island, fostering consensus around the idea that our toughest healthcare challenges can only be solved by working together.
Our Programs: Addressing Systems
Through our programs, we aim to achieve health equity in our community by shifting the model of healthcare from reactively treating disease to proactively caring for the health of every person on Hawaiʻi Island.
Community First Annual Reports
Learn about our impact.
Take Action
Improving healthcare access and equity on our island is complex, but it’s an issue we can solve if we work together. Your financial support directly contributes to improved health outcomes on Hawaiʻi Island. Take action today by joining our giving community of individuals, businesses, organizations, and philanthropic funders.
Join the Movement
We focus on building relationships and trust to improve how healthcare and social service organizations work together on Hawaiʻi Island. We invite all healthcare providers, practitioners, clinicians, and organizations to join our trusted networks.
The People of Community First
From our core operating team to our board of directors, we are committed to driving forward solutions that improve the health of our community. Get to know the folks behind our work.
Team
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Randy is the Executive Director of Community First and is responsible for carrying out our strategic vision and mission. He served for 8 years with Mayor Kenoi in various roles at the County of Hawaiʻi including Director of the Department of Research & Development, Deputy Managing Director, and Managing Director. He is a long time Hawaiʻi Island small business owner of Creative Arts Hawaii and Aloha Grown. He graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree in Marketing. He is the current President of the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce; member and past President of the Rotary Club of South Hilo; director and past President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaiʻi; board member of the Hawaiʻi Health System Corporation’s East Hawaiʻi Regional Board, the Salvation Army, Keahole Center for Sustainability, and emeritus board member of the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island.
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Krystle is the Business Manager for Community First, a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in East Hawai`i in 2014. She received her bachelors degree in Business Management from UH Hilo in 2018 and her masters degree in Human Resource Management from UH Manoa in 2019. Krystle is well rounded in the business world, and has held positions in administration, accounting, human resources, and safety. Krystle is an active community member and supports organizations such as Hawai`i Island Chamber of Commerce, Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Alzheimer’s Association, and American Cancer Society. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, watching movies and spending time with her kids.
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Tish is a dedicated leader and lifelong learner who is passionate about community and committed to fostering connections and supporting others. Beyond work, Tish is pursuing a BS in Psychology with a concentration in social psychology, driven by a deep curiosity about human behavior and relationships. Tish has always been drawn to roles that encourage connection, learning, and meaningful support for others. Creativity is another key part of her life. Whether curating a zoom experience for the audience, coordinating an engaging event or finding innovative ways to engage volunteers and teams, Tish believes in the power of purpose to inspire and connect. When not working or studying, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, trying new foods and embracing the beauty of the 'Aina. Through both professional and personal passions, Tish is committed to making a meaningful impact, one connection at a time.
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Justi is a passionate community advocate who has dedicated her career to strengthening connections and supporting families across Hawai’i Island. With many years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she has experience in program coordination, family support, healthcare outreach, and helping community members connect to vital resources and services, always with the goal of helping others thrive. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology and a Master of Science in Management from Walden University, and brings a wide range of skills in leadership, collaboration, and community engagement. On her free time, Justi enjoys spending time with loved ones, serves as a baseball Team Mom, and remains committed to making a lasting and positive impact in the community she calls home.
Board of Directors
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Toby has served as President and Chairperson of Community First’s board since [YEAR]. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of KTA Super Stores, the largest network of retail grocery stores on Hawaiʻi Island. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Hawaiian Electric Company, Employers’ Protective Insurance Company, Public Schools of Hawaiʻi Foundation, the Lyman House Museum, and the Parker Ranch Foundation Trust. Toby holds a Certificate in Executive Food Industry Management from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Science Communications Management from the University of Portland.
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Richard serves as Vice President of Community First’s board. He is the CEO of West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, a role he’s held since 2005. He also serves on the Board of Directors of HMSA Foundation. He is a graduate of Allegheny College and the University of New Mexico.
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James serves as Treasurer of Community First’s board. He is the President & CEO of CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union in Hilo, Hawai`i. He has almost 30 years of experience in the financial industry, and has held positions at American Savings Bank in Hilo, M&T Bank in Buffalo, NY and at the New York Stock Exchange. James is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. His graduate studies include a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University and a Master of Business Administration from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. He is also a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. Currently he serves as a Director on the Hawai’i Island Economic Development Board, The Kohala Center, Community First Hawaii and the Boys and the Girls Club of the Big Island.
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Martha Yamada serves as the Secretary on the Board of Community First Hawai’i.
Before volunteering for Community First, she served as the Public Health Nursing Supervisor for Hawai’i Island focusing her efforts on Emergency Preparedness Response, Communicable Disease Prevention, Health and Wellness activities for the Hawai’i District Health Office. Prior to serving the Department of Health for 3 decades, she worked as a Registered Nurse for Hilo Medical Center and St. Francis Hospital on Oahu after receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
A strong believer in the late Barry Taniguchi’s Principal of “Only Together”, she is most proud of two accomplishments. First, she collaborated with the military’s Innovative Readiness Training Program which brought medical, dental and vision services to underserved communities on Hawai’i Island. Second, she loved working with the many talented people of Hawai’i County that made Hawai’i County the first county in the nation to be certified as a Blue Zone approved community!
Martha served in leadership positions of Hilo Association for Family and Community Education (FCE). This is an organization that is dear to heart as she loves to learn within a caring community to strengthen family life. She lives in Hilo with her husband and feels very fortunate to have her son and his family living nearby. Since her retirement, she spends most of her time in Kona caring for her elderly parents. In her caregiving role, she is reminded each day of the importance of the vision of Community First: A Hawaiʻi Island where we embrace our kuleana for our own health and the well-being of others.
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Dr. Kealoha-Beaudet is the clinical psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of Kipuka o ke Ola Native Hawaiian Rural Health Clinic (KOKO). She is a graduate of Argosy University.
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Brandee is the Chief Executive Officer of HOPE Services Hawaiʻi. She also serves on the Board of Directors for The Food Basket, Bay Clinic, Hawaiʻi Catholic Conference, Hawaiʻi Island United Way’s Advisory Council for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, Hawaiʻi Electric Light’s Advisory Board for Low and Moderate Income Families, and as director on the HMSA Foundation Board. Brandee earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and her master's degree in Professional Counseling with emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University.
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Clayton is the West Hawaiʻi Regional Chief Executive Officer of Kona Community Hospital. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Aliʻi Health Center. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce. Clayton earned a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration and master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and Management from Grand Canyon University.
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Charlene is a community advocate and retired attorney. She served as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, First Deputy, and Prosecuting Attorney for Hawaiʻi County over the course of her career. She is a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi and University of Puget Sound Law School.
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Dan is the East Hawaiʻi Regional Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, overseeing Hilo Medical Center, Hale Hoʻola Hamakua, Kaʻu Hospital, the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home, and the East Hawaiʻi Health Clinics. He earned a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Colorado, an Associate Degree in Nursing and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Augusta State University.
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Stephany is the President of Queen's North Hawai'i Community Hospital. She holds a juris doctor degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law and a master's and bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.