HONOLULU (KHON2) — October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and one local nonprofit group, Lanakila Pacific, has been working for years to help those with disabilities find a place in the workforce.
“It’s anyone that has a cognitive or physical impairment or something that might be a challenge that might get in their way,” said David Comfort, Employment Services manager on what defines someone with a disability. “Sometimes it’s just a little bit of coaching or a little bit of resume work.”
Comfort and his team work with those with disabilities by training them on interview and presentation skills, as well as helping them gain the skills they need to be successful in a job.
When asked about the importance of getting the disabled into the workforce, Comfort had a thorough response.
“Five, six year ago, I would have answered this question different. Like… it’s important for the disabled to be a part of the community and to buy into all of our population blah blah blah,” said Comfort, saying now he knows the answer is a bit different. “It’s really about the employers knowing that they can actually hire an asset. That these individuals have the tools it takes to help your company, and really bring something to the table for your company.
Graduates from the Lanakila program are introduced to one of the company’s dozens of partners island wide. There, they get the opportunity to work for a period of time before deciding if they continue permanently.
With the news of the federal government shutdown, Lanakila Pacific has been left in a slight state of uncertainty, though not without uncertainty.
“There are some nuances to the full payment that we’re trying to negotiate right now,” said Lanakila Pacific president and CEO Rona Yagi Fukumoto. “We have not been significantly affected by the shutdown, but we waiting to see what the actual impact will be.”
However Fukamoto says that a lot of their funding comes from contracts that remain in place, which are considered essential in “most situations.”
The employment services program will continue their work of getting their participants into the workforce, which in some cases means internally.
“Through the training program helped me gain more job skills and more communication skills,” said Bryant Bolosan, 35-year old program graduate. “Also led me to where I am as a Lanakila Pacific Assistant.”
“Tis is actually my first job, so I’ve never really worked anywhere else,” said Taylan Texeira, supervisor at one of Lanakila Pacific’s divisions. “It’s made it easier for me to get employment.”
“I was a cashier when I first joined, and I got introduced to David (Comfort),” said Mahina Ikemoto, who now works as a job coach for Lanakila Pacific.
Ikemoto now coaches people who were once in her own shoes, giving the advice that she was once given.
“The stronger they believe in themselves, the more likely they are to get hired because their confidence – they’re radiating. It’s just going to radiate off them,” said Ikemoto on what she tells the people she coaches.
The Employment Services team has helped over 150 people with disabilities. There are currently 121 participants in 2025 are currently gaining hands on workplace experience and income.