TOUCH A HEART NEWSLETTER | FEBRUARY 4, 2026
Through the Lens
Behind much of Touch A Heart's visual content is videographer and photographer Kawika, whose work helps bring our mission, people, and impact to life. From everyday moments in the kitchen to personal videos shared in courtrooms, his approach is grounded in care, trust, and listening.
Kawika's interest in visual storytelling began early. "I've been drawn to film for as long as I can remember," he shared. In high school, he served as the video documentarian for his robotics team and later studied creative media in college, which led to work at an animation studio animating dinosaurs for the Discovery Channel.
His professional path was shaped by mentorship. "My real education in professional filmmaking came when I met my mentor, Dave Kusumoto," Kawika explained. Together, they created content for clients ranging from Hawaiian Airlines to national brands like Motorola, Jeep, and King's Hawaiian. Today, Kawika runs Elevate Media HI, offering photography, video, branding, and marketing strategy, while also exploring ways to make AI tools accessible to businesses.
Kawika was introduced to Touch A Heart through Dave, who connected him with Executive Director Robin. His first project was a testimony video for one of our graduates. "Once I understood what Touch A Heart was doing—actually breaking the cycle of recidivism—I wanted to be part of it," he said.
Some of Kawika's most meaningful work includes videos shown to judges on behalf of the people we serve that demonstrate their transformation and growth. "The moment it clicked for me was the first one," he shared, recalling a case where a sentence was reduced beyond what he thought possible.
At the core of Kawika's work is a simple philosophy: connection. "I tell people we're going to have a conversation," he said. "I'm there to learn about them." That mindset—being present, listening, and wanting to help—aligns closely with Touch A Heart's mission, and we're grateful for the care Kawika brings to every story we share.