Meet Our Team
With 19 Hawaii-based employees, including Pension Consultants, Administrators, and Actuaries, we have built our reputation on understanding the unique needs of our clients and providing custom solutions to help them meet their objectives.
YOUR LOCAL EXPERTS
SI Group is unique because of our service-first approach to retirement consulting and our depth of industry knowledge.
We proudly employ some of the leading retirement experts in Hawaii, and in collaboration with our partners at Strongpoint across the country, we are positioned to help you with any challenge.
19
Hawaii-Based Employees
10+
Average Years of Tenure
25+
Industry Credentials
Our Leadership
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Ellen Kawashima is President at SI GROUP. Prior to joining SI GROUP, she was a partner at Cades Schutte, where she served as the Chair of the Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Group. Ellen received her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics-Applied Science in Physics from the University of California at Los Angeles and her Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Prior to leaving private law practice in 2019, she was selected by her peers to be included in Best Lawyers in America since 2010, was named Lawyer of the Year in Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law – Hawaii by Best Lawyers in America for 2014, and was named by Chambers & Partners USA as one of America’s leading lawyers for Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits & Compensation. Ellen’s practice areas included retirement plans (401(k), profit sharing, defined benefit, cash balance, money purchase pension, 403(b), 457 and ESOPs), employee benefits, deferred compensation arrangements and executive compensation.
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Dori Kaneshiro graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting.
Prior to joining SI GROUP in 2019, Dori served as a Tax Manager at CW Associates, CPAs and has more than 10 years of public accounting experience. Since joining SI GROUP, she has earned the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) designation of Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA). Dori is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in the State of Hawaii.
During her free time, she enjoys shopping and spending time with friends and family.
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Bonnie Takamiya joined SI GROUP in 2015 and is responsible for administering many of the firm’s large qualified retirement plans. She is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management, a Master’s degree in Business Administration, and a Master’s degree in Accounting.
Bonnie’s prior experience includes working as the manager at Nippon Golden Network (NGN), and as an accountant in the tax department of CW Associates, CPAs. Since joining SI GROUP, she has earned the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) designations of Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) and Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA). Bonnie is also a certified public accountant licensed in the State of Hawaii.
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CPC, QPA, QKA, ERPA, AIFA
Craig Suemori is the founder of SI GROUP, which began operations in November 1985. He has a B.S. degree from the University of Southern California with a double emphasis in Accounting and Finance. Craig has been a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries since 1986 and holds the designations of Certified Pension Consultant (CPC), Qualified Pension Administrator, Qualified 401(k) Administrator, and Qualified Plan Financial Consultant. He is also an Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent allowing him to practice before the IRS on certain retirement plan issues. In 2007, Craig was awarded the Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst (AIFA®) designation through the Center for Fiduciary Studies in association with the University of Pittsburgh.
Craig attended Kalani High School, and enjoys golf and sushi. His favorite place to visit is the Kohola Coast on the Big Island.
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Jarvis Nohara joined SI GROUP in 2021 during the merger with Choy & Company, Inc., where he had worked since 2015. He graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Economics. He is responsible for administering small to medium sized defined benefit and cash balance plans.
Jarvis is an Enrolled Actuary (EA) and a Member of the Society of Enrolled Actuaries (MSEA). He has also earned the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) designation of Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA).
During his free time, he enjoys playing baseball and golfing.
We are dedicated to exceeding our clients’ expectations, so we invest in education and industry certification for our employees. As a result, our reputation for service and accuracy is exemplary. With an average tenure of 10+ years among our employees, our account administrators develop strong relationships with our clients and are focused on delivering the highest level of client service.
To learn more about who we serve, visit our pages for Employers and Trusted Advisors.
MAKING RETIREMENT WORK FOR EVERYONE
We're committed to delivering exceptional service and a customized plan that will meet your retirement objectives.
