Marie Kumabe, Principal
Principal and Owner, Marie oversees the Executive Recruitment and Human Resource Consulting Division.
Marie comes with 25 years of experience in business, with 15 years specifically dedicated to executive search, human resource consulting and staffing. Her impressive credentials, exceptional skill and commitment to the success of her clients has resulted in a loyal and growing base of clients who trust her to execute their human resources and executive search needs discreetly and effectively. Marie is a recognized leader in Hawaii in the field of staffing and human resources as is demonstrated by her thriving firm and her appointment as the current Faculty Director for the Masters of Human Resources Management program at the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaii.
Throughout her career, Marie has always made giving back to community a top priority, serving on the board of directors of several community organizations. She currently serves on the Board for Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, the University of Hawaii’s Travel Industry Management Alumni Association, Nuuanu YMCA and as an advisor for Girl Scouts of Hawai`i.
Marie earned her undergraduate degree in International Business from UCLA and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management.
Office: (808) 629-7653 | Marie@kumabehr.com
Kara Kim, Senior Vice President
Kara oversees the Kumabe HR Staffing Division and internal operations. With more than 20 years of experience in human resources, she is an effective leader and great resource for her client’s companies and employees. Her HR expertise includes talent acquisition, employee relations, training & development, and HRIS/Payroll. Kara provides clients with the highest quality of services by identifying and recruiting top-level talent.
Kara has extensive community involvement and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the University of Hawaii at Manoa Shidler Alumni Association. Over the years, she has been a tremendous supporter of human resource student organizations and other community organizations. She has previously served on the board for the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Atherton YMCA and the Sakura Hawaii Alumnae.
Kara received an Executive Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources from the University of Hawaii at Manoa Shidler College of Business.
Office: (808) 629-7653 | Kara@kumabehr.com
Kim Miyashiro, Director of Human Resources Consulting Services
Kim is a passionate HR professional with more than 20 years of human resources and career development experience. Kim focuses on special consulting projects and executive recruitment searches tailored to each client’s culture and business needs. Her HR expertise includes human resources strategy, talent attraction, staffing & retention, compensation & benefits, employee relations, performance management and leadership development.
Kim is an active board member of the ‘Ahahui Koa Anuenue, a fundraising organization for University of Hawai`i Athletics. She is also an adjunct lecturer at University of Hawai`i at Manoa Shidler College of Business.
Kim earned an Executive Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Hawaii at Manoa Shidler College of Business and a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Office: (808) 629-7654 | Kimberly@kumabehr.com
Kristine Gist, Senior Human Resources Manager
Kristine is an instrumental part of the Staffing Division with more than 15 years of experience in human resources and customer service. She manages the staffing process and specializes in training & development of recruiting strategies. Kristine oversees the Kumabe HR internship program that hires undergraduate college students studying HR and provides valuable on-the-job HR experience.
Kristine is engaged in community service and was on the Board of Directors for the Society of Human Resource Management Hawaii. She was also the previous Chair of SHRM Hawaii’s Young Professionals, now known as SHRM Hawaii’s Emerging Professionals. Kristine supports the UH Manoa Society of Human Resource Management - Aloha Chapter and the Business Executive Society of Tomorrow at the University of Hawaii Manoa. She is an alumnae with both student organizations. Previously she was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii’s Young Professionals and the Filipino Jaycees of Honolulu.
Kristine received an Executive Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources from University of Hawaii at Manoa, Shidler College of Business.
Office: (808) 629-7650 | Kristine@kumabehr.com
Sonia Ibrahimkhail, Senior Human Resources Specialist
Sonia is a key member of the Staffing Division. In addition to recruitment, Sonia manages medical benefits for all internal and external employees and is responsible for delivering engaging and informative presentations to jobseekers. Sonia also co-led HRIS implementation and management.
Sonia is involved in the community and is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals program and the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Hawaii Chapter. Sonia is also a great supporter of the Shidler College of Business student club events.
Sonia earned an Executive Master’s in Human Resource Management from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Shidler College of Business, and was accepted into the international business honors society, Beta Gamma Sigma. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Women’s & Gender Studies from Santa Clara University in California.
Office: (808) 629-7650 | Sonia@kumabehr.com
Jenna Kumabe, Human Resources/Marketing Specialist
Jenna is an integral member of the Staffing Division and Marketing Team. Jenna leads Kumabe HR's marketing campaigns, client/candidate outreach programs, and has also consulted on Kumabe HR's extensive website transition. On the recruiting side, she works with candidates of all levels with a focus on recent college graduates, as she enjoys assisting with their post-graduation job search and career explorations.
Jenna is a member of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Young Professionals Program, where she has served on committees for the organization’s inaugural Pride event and has dedicated her time to being both a mentor and committee member for the High School Mentorship Program. Through her involvement with the COC YP program, she has led marketing efforts, recruitment efforts, and program onboardings, and in doing so has extended Kumabe HR's reach for both clients and candidates.
Jenna majored in Business Administration and played Division I collegiate softball for the University of San Diego, before transferring home to finish her athletic and academic career at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Shidler College of Business.
Office: (808) 629-7650 | Jenna@kumabehr.com
Jeffrey Aglanao, Human Resources Specialist
Jeff plays an integral role in the Staffing Division. He has more than 10 years of experience in human resources in various industries in private, federal, and non-profit sectors. His HR expertise includes recruiting, benefits, training & development, and compensation. Jeff’s passion for recruiting allows him to connect companies with talented and motivated candidates who are interested in continuing to grow professionally or transitioning into a new career.
He is currently a member of the Rising Phoenix Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Young Professional Mentorship Program, and serves as a member of the Enterprise Risk Management Committee for the Boy Scouts of America, Aloha Council.
He obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Master of Human Resources Management degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Shidler College of Business.
Office: (808) 629-7650 | Jeff@kumabehr.com
Yin Kim, Human Resources Assistant
Yin is a vital member of the Staffing Division. She assists with employee payroll and onboarding of new employees. Yin has also played a key role in streamlining and maintaining our HRIS processes. Prior to joining Kumabe HR, Yin excelled in sales and consistently ranked amongst top performers at all her previous companies. She found her passion in altruistic work during her time with the YMCA, where she provided group support to students, with a specialty in students with one-to-one needs.
Yin is currently a student at Kapi`olani Community College, pursuing a business degree. After graduating, she hopes to continue integrating her love of helping others with her work while developing a career in human resources.
Office: (808) 629-7650 | Yin@kumabehr.com
Roxanne Takaesu, Human Resources/Marketing Specialist
Roxanne is a key member of the Staffing Division and Marketing Team. She assists with employee payroll while also leading the human resource information system updates. Roxanne began her career working in education and hospitality, which later allowed her to transition into human resources. She is passionate about the human resources profession and enjoys helping candidates discover the next steps in their careers.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Roxanne supports and volunteers with various local organizations and enjoys serving her home community.
She received her Master of Science in Human Resources from Brandman University and holds a Professional Human Resources certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute.
Office: (808) 629-7650 | Roxanne@kumabehr.com
Marcia Taira, Senior Executive Recruiter
Marcia is a recognized Human Resources Professional with over 40 years of Executive experience primarily involving strategic leadership of employee relations, labor relations, benefits, self-Insured insurance and health plans, payroll systems, staffing, training and leadership development. Most recently, she was with Charter Communications, aka, Oceanic Time Warner Cable, as Vice President of Human Resources. Marcia earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the Shidler College of Business in Human Resources and Management. She served as a Trustee for the IBEW 1186 Pension and Training Funds, and was a Member of the Board of the Boys and Girls and the Nuuanu YMCA. Today, she continues on the Board of Managers for the Nuuanu YMCA as a member of the Governance Committee and is a member of the Advisory Board for the Masters in Human Resources Program at the Shidler College of Business.
Her philosophy of staffing an organization with the right people, then training and developing of those assets is the key to business success. Marcia’s passion for getting the right people in the right seats is why her addition to KumabeHR is a benefit to the organization and our clients.