MEET Our Team

Healthy Steps Hawaiʻi was founded in the summer of 2023 by co-founders Josiah Morita and Tyler Shimabukuro, who met during a summer research internship at Queenʻs Medical Center.

During a seminar during their internship, Josiah and Tyler learned about the concept of the social determinants of health. Inspired, by the idea that health is shaped by more than just clinical care, they created the vision of taking a holistic approach to wellness, by looking at factors that influence overall well-being.

Figure from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589923/figure/fig01/

In January 2024, Healthy Steps Hawaiʻi proudly partnered with the Food Vault at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Fifty meal kits were donated to support students experiencing food insecurity. 

It was a busy year and we experienced much growth for both the Healthy Steps Hawaiʻi team and the nonprofit as a whole. From building vital community connections to fundraising efforts, there was much to learn and do. However, with incredible support from our donors, partners and the community it has been a rewarding year of learning, teamwork, and making a difference!

We are so excited to continue building on the momentum of our first year! While our vision for a healthier Hawaiʻi is broad at this time, we will continue to address food access, physical activity and building awareness of our nonprofit thru community service. We are also passionate about supporting the keiki of Hawaiʻi as they are the next generation! 

As we look towards the future, we believe in the power of the small, meaningful steps we take and that by continuing to engage with our community and grow our impact, that we can help the people of Hawaiʻi improve their health and ultimately, their lives.