Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Owner of Akua Family Therapy

*Seeing Clients In-Person at Hilo Office and Kurtistown Office, and Online via Telehealth

Aaron specializes in systemic marriage and family therapy. Aaron has an eye for helping individuals and couples to build insight through psycho-education, processing and family interactions.

Aaron’s specialty areas: Emotion Coaching, Couples Therapy, Emotional Regulation, Trauma Processing with EMDR, Christian Integration, Family Therapy, Psycho-education, Social Skill Building. 

Pre-Licensed Therapists

Mental Health Counseling Pre-licensed Professional

*Seeing Clients In-Person at Kurtistown Office, and 

Online via Telehealth

Ellie specializes in couples therapy and related issues, offering a safe and nurturing space for you and your partner to strengthen your bond and overcome obstacles together. Ellie also works with adult individuals.

Ellie’s specialty areas: Couples Therapy, Sexual Issues, Recovery from Infidelity, Erotic Recovery, First Responders, Co-parenting Therapy. 

Support Staff

Margaret Benavides, Administrative Assistant

Margaret Benavidez plays a very valuable role at Akua Family Therapy. She supports all of our therapists and clients in everything from intakes and onboarding, to scheduling and billing. You will likely speak with Margaret at some point of your client journey with Akua Family Therapy as she supports us in making sure that you are well taken care of from your first call, answering questions, sending out documents and connecting you with the therapist that you are looking for. 

Aloha, my name is Margaret Benavidez. I am a wife and mother of three beautiful children, two of which are already adults. I am a Christian and do my best to build my life around Jesus. I started my career in senior living as a concierge and worked my way up to Director of Sales and Marketing. As a Director of Sales and Marketing I assisted families and seniors to find retirement or care options available to them. I ended my career in senior living after having our last child and decided to be a stay at home mom for the first few years. We moved to Hawaii to be close to family and raise our youngest child. Currently I serve as a Sunday school teacher in kids ministry. I homeschool our youngest daughter. Going back to work was a difficult decision but working with Akua Family Therapy group gives me the flexibility to be a mom and a wife while still being able to serve in our community. My future goals are to complete my college degree and help build businesses and people.

Kaimilani (Kaimi) Alboro, Marketing Specialist

Kaimilani Alboro supports Akua Family Therapy by working collaboratively with our therapists to promote the specific service that we provide to the community. Kaimi is a quick learner, adaptable and a strong member of our team. She is an integral part of helping us strengthen our relationships to other providers, educators, professionals, leaders and the community through our networking, social media and advertising efforts.

Aloha! My name is Kaimilani Alboro and I am a Marketing Specialist here at Akua Family Therapy. I graduated from Hilo High School, Class of 2023 and I am pursuing a degree of Business Administration at Hawaii Pacific University.  I enjoy working for Akua Family Therapy because it does not feel like a typical “job,” I am able to relax and have fun while I work. This summer, 2023, Aaron has offered me the opportunity to work for his company and I have learned so many new things and have been open to so many new ideas and perspectives. Akua Family Therapy has been able to give me hands-on experience and the jump start I need for my future career and goals. I plan to keep working for Akua Family Therapy as I continue my educational journey because I believe the knowledge I will learn will better expose myself and Akua Family Therapy to new and better opportunities.