RCOH Lunch Meeting - Katelyn Taua'a & Brian Kirsch

Their Mission:  "Hawaii Fi-Do Service Dogs helps to build independence and quality of life for children and adults with mobility disabilities in Hawaii by providing them with quality trained assistance dogs by sharing awareness of service dogs to the community."

Founded in 1998, Hawaiʻi Fi-Do Service Dogs believes the right dog can change everything. For more than 25 years, this Hawaiʻi-based nonprofit has trained and placed service dogs with individuals who have physical disabilities, restoring independence, confidence, and dignity through the bond between people and dogs.

Each dog is carefully selected, raised by volunteer puppy raisers, and professionally trained to perform essential tasks such as mobility support, item retrieval, balance assistance, and anxiety interruption. These dogs don’t just help, they give their partners independence.

That impact is deeply personal for Hawaiʻi Fi-Do Board President Dara Fukuhara. Living with a severe mobility disability, Dara first supported the organization in the early 2000s through her public relations and marketing work. As her health declined, her role deepened. She joined the board, raised one of Hawaiʻi Fi-Do’s breeder dogs, and eventually faced the need for a service dog herself. Twenty years later, the right match arrived: QT. After two years of training, QT graduated, giving Dara daily security, practical support, and peace of mind. QT now assists with tasks Dara can no longer manage and is learning how to get help in an emergency.

Beyond service dog placements, Hawaiʻi Fi-Do’s therapy and outreach programs bring comfort to children affected by trauma, seniors in care homes, and students in local schools, touching hundreds of lives across Hawaiʻi each year.

Committed to access and equity, Hawaiʻi Fi-Do removes financial barriers so life-changing support reaches those who need it most. With the help of donors and volunteers, the organization continues building a more compassionate Hawaiʻi, one service dog at a time. 

For more information, visit www.hawaiifido.org or follow Hawaiʻi Fi-Do on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Read Katelyn and Brian's Bios on the RCOH Facebook page HERE

Arrive at 11:30 am for fellowship and socializing prior to our 12:00 pm meeting start!