Our Team
Your Dedicated Insurance Team
Our team of exceptionally talented individuals enjoys working together to provide professional and effective solutions for your insurance needs. Our goal is to provide the best financial products and services through our experienced and highly qualified staff. Let’s do business together.
Contracting & Licensing
Matthew Kagawa, ALMI
Vice President and Chief Operations Officer
(808) 527-8820
[email protected]
Matthew oversees the company’s business operations and provides support in fixed annuities, fixed life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability insurance, critical illness insurance sales and marketing. He also handles contracting, licensing and commissions.
Matthew has been with the company since 2013 after graduating from Oregon State University with a B.S. in Finance. Prior to joining the life insurance industry, Matthew worked as a property and casualty insurance agent. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his son, and dog, especially leisure days at the park or botanical garden.
An Eagle Scout, Matthew lives by the Scout motto, “be prepared”.
Rochelle Ziegler
Administrative Assistant
(808) 527-8845
[email protected]
Rochelle is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the securities and insurance industry. In contracting & licensing, she expertly manages insurance contracting and provides comprehensive administrative support to keep our office running seamlessly. Rochelle’s deep industry knowledge, attention to detail, and dedication ensure our clients and partners always receive the highest level of service.
Sales Support & Strategy
Kevin Okumura, CFP®
Vice President
(808) 527-8828
[email protected]
Expertise: Underwriting, Case Design
Kevin serves as Occidental’s Vice President and is involved in all aspects of our new business support and assists with our operations. He is especially involved in the case design, illustrations and underwriting challenges.
Kevin started as a full-time agent with New England Financial and then in 2012 moved to Occidental as a Case Manager. Outside the office he enjoys spending time with his four-legged pal Barney, going on runs and playing games.
At Occidental he’s motivated to help secure the right insurance for clients with the best rates available. He cares deeply about the business and wanting to see those he works with succeed.
Brant Yamamoto, FSS, LUTCF®, FLMI®, ACS®
Brokerage Manager
(808) 527-8819
[email protected]
Expertise: Case Design
Brant Yamamoto is a Brokerage Manager who has been a part of the insurance industry for over 20 years, working in the capacities of large corporate carriers like Manulife and Pacific Guardian Life. He will be your main contact for brokerage sales and provide support to the growth of Occidental Underwriters.
Inforce Policy Services
Maule Akana
Customer Care Representative
(808) 527-8800
[email protected]
Expertise: Transamerica Claims
Maule Akana is a Customer Care Representative who has many years of service with Occidental Underwriters. She assists our customers, agents, and brokers with their service-related inquiries.
If you find yourself not knowing where to turn for help, just ask Maule. She can help answer questions or help unravel problems that you might find daunting. By working together, you can have peace of
mind that your questions and concerns will be handled to your satisfaction. Her greatest reward is knowing that the customers she helps are satisfied with the services she provides.
Count on receiving service with a smile.
New Business & Case Management
Cristina Higa
New Business Case Manager
(808) 527-8835
[email protected]
Note: Please submit applications to [email protected].
Cristina is responsible for processing all new business applications (Life, Health, Annuities, etc.) from submission to requirement gathering and underwriting to final policy delivery.
Cristina has been with the company for 16 years. She is Life and Health insurance licensed. She graduated from Polytechnic University of the Philippines with a bachelor’s degree in Office Administration. In her free time, she loves watching movies trending on Netflix. She also loves watching football and reading novels.
Cristina likes this quote from Henry Ford — “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.”
It gives Cristina joy and satisfaction every time a case is placed.
Health Insurance
Michael Sato, CLTC®, LUTCF®, FSS
Brokerage Manager
(808) 527-8869
[email protected]
Expertise: Long-Term Care, Short-Term Care, Critical Illness, Disability, Annuities.
Michael is a Brokerage Manager with a focus on Health Products (Long-term Care Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Disability Insurance) and fixed annuities. He helps brokers with case design, product knowledge, underwriting issues, and meetings with clients.
Michael graduated from the University of Hawaii with a B.A. in Political Science. He has been in the financial industry since 2007 and has been at Occidental since 2009. He currently has the LUTCF, FSS, and CLTC financial designations. Prior to this, he was in the culinary field for 10+ years and 10+ years in the aviation field as a Piper Chieftain PA31-350 Captain flying unscheduled freight and commuters to the neighbor islands. In his spare time, he likes to spend time with his wife, Yuko and dogs, Momo and Kiki. Some of his hobbies include travelling, hiking, tending to his bonsai collection, and playing the guitar.
“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.”-Arthur Ashe