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Pediatric Physical Therapy of Hawai’i is a private practice providing pediatric physical therapy for infants, toddlers, preschool and elementary aged children. We provide quality care using evidence based research, clinical expertise and collaboration with your child’s healthcare team and ohana. Therapy visits are held in the child’s home, community setting or via telehealth.
Each child receives a thorough evaluation and a dynamic treatment approach based on their unique needs. We work with the child and their ohana, towards improved movement and activities to enable greater participation at home, school and in the community. We value collaboration and communication and teaming with caregivers when educating on ways goals can be integrated into a family’s routine.
Dr Kari is the founder of Pediatric Physical Therapy of Hawai’i. She was inspired to become a physical therapist during a high school volunteer project at her local children’s hospital.
Dr Kari earned a BS in Communications and Minor in Business at Florida State University and a BS in Physical Therapy at Florida A&M University. She then spent her career working with adults and children in a variety of practice settings: Large Metro Acute Care Teaching Hospital, Outpatient Sports Medicine, Rural Outpatient Clinic, Schools and Home Care. After returning from living overseas and volunteering with the World Health Organization, Dr Kari returned to gain her Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in Pediatric Science.
Since that time Dr Kari has spent many years working with kids, families and caregivers in Early Intervention, Preschool, Elementary School, Home, Aquatic and Community based settings. Therapy sessions are offered in the family’s home and in the community (local park, beach or swimming pool). Therapy sessions are also offered via Telehealth. Through thoughtful questions and deep listening Dr Kari teams with families to determine the glitch in a child’s motor delay. Dr Kari has extensive experience working with medically fragile children with complex therapy and equipment needs. Her work with children on the autism spectrum includes using adapted communication to support building specific gross motor skills, mastering these play skills, and then using them to participate with peers. Dr Kari works with kids with developmental needs both big and small.
When not working with children and their ohanas, Dr Kari enjoys spending time with her with family surfing, walking their dog on the beach, hiking to watch the sunrise, reading and gardening. She enjoys outrigger canoe racing with Hui Nalu and volunteering with Punahou’s Parent Faculty Association.
“ When reflecting on my career in PT, I believe the time invested in early intervention makes the biggest impact on a child and family’s long term quality of life than any other field of PT! I love partnering with families and sharing information on how to adjust daily life to encourage movement patterns and activities that support a child’s growth, learning and development. I also love the opportunity to celebrate the many milestones children accomplish!”
Dr Kari provides
In-home Therapy – In Person on O’ahu.
Telehealth therapy – Throughout the Hawaiian Islands and Florida
