building strong academic foundations, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning
Our Kindergarten Tutoring Approach in Honolulu
The team at MICAA Kindergarten Prep and Tutoring Services is made up of passionate, collegiate educators who work collaboratively to strengthen each student’s academic skills and confidence. Honolulu’s education environment is highly competitive, especially when it comes to private school admissions, which is why our approach goes beyond tutoring. We stay current with effective educational tools and resources to create personalized lesson plans that address individual learning differences, while balancing encouragement with structure to support consistent, long-term academic growth.
We believe students learn best when they understand how academic concepts apply to their daily lives. When learning feels meaningful, children begin to enjoy thinking through problems, recognizing patterns, and reasoning logically to find solutions.
Our approach focuses on building both academic skills and learning confidence, helping students grow into independent, motivated learners.
We partner closely with families who value progress, preparation, and strong academic foundations.
A Thoughtful, Student-Centered Tutoring Approach
Applying concepts to real-life situations
Building problem-solving and reasoning skills
Encouraging independence and confidence
Creating positive learning experiences
Applying concepts to real-life situations
Building problem-solving and reasoning skills
Encouraging independence and confidence
Creating positive learning experiences
Applying concepts to real-life situations
Building problem-solving and reasoning skills
Encouraging independence and confidence
Creating positive learning experiences
Applying concepts to real-life situations
Building problem-solving and reasoning skills
Encouraging independence and confidence
Creating positive learning experiences
Our students benefit from a completely personalized educational program that increases engagement, fosters academic improvement, and develops critical thinkers.
Working individually with each learner, our tutors guide students through challenges step by step, helping them build habits of success and a genuine love of learning.
We focus on:
How We Help Children Learn and Thrive
Personalized Learning,
Not One-Size-Fits-All Tutoring
Cari Yamafuji, RBT
Gina N., CDA
Kylie Pastrana
Denise Uyeki, RBT
Gina Ebato, RBT
Early education support families can trust
Founded by Alissa Katada, MICAA Kindergarten Prep and Tutoring Services was built from a deep passion for education and student development. Alissa is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Licensed Behavior Analyst, and Autism Consulting Teacher with over 17 years of experience working within the Hawaiʻi Department of Education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, a Master’s degree from Chaminade University, and a Behavior Analyst degree from the Florida Institute of Technology. Her background blends academic instruction with behavioral insight, shaping MICAA’s thoughtful, student-centered approach to learning.
Our team
We love, MICAA! Our son is a fifth grader and has been working with their tutors for six months now. They are all kind, compassionate and caring. They have incredible patience, and a wealth of knowledge to help their students.
"We are lucky to have found them!"
We have seen significant improvement overall with her confidence and ability to work on her own without getting frustrated or struggling everyday with homework. She is willing to learn, motivated, and hasn’t given up.
"She enjoys going to tutoring every week "
We always talk about our day at the end of the night before bed. And I just have to share with you what Tytus said. He said “ mom, I feel good when I go to aunty Cari. I feel like I’m really learning stuff. Like I feel it in my brain. Not like Kumon that I already know and not like school.” Thanks guys for making my lil guy feel good!
"I feel like I’m really learning stuff."
When schools closed at the beginning of the pandemic, I ambitiously bought a bunch of homeschooling material for my 4 year old but after a couple of months, everything went down hill! That is when I found MICAA who took over throughout the pandemic and he enjoyed his tutoring sessions. Now I want MICAA to assist my son with executive function skills.”
"We are so grateful for the approach!"
Give Your child a confident start
Registered Behavior Technician and Austism Consulting Teacher that has worked with special education in public schools since 1996.
Graduated in education from University of Irvine with a post graduate certificate from UH Manoa. 3 years of intensive training w/ autism partnership and have operated the model autism classroom for various Hawaii schools.
Tutor
Cari Yamafuji, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician and Autism Consulting Teacher with a Master's degree in general education K-6 and special education in K-12 (severe autism).
Gina has been a special education teacher for 7 years and a autism consulting teacher for 16 years.
Tutor
Gina Ebato, RBT
Educational Assistant within DOE in various Special Educational classrooms for over 5 years before enjoying her role as a CDA (Child Development Associate) licensed pre-school teacher at a private preschool for the last 10 years.
Also providing her Kindergarten Prep expertise for kindergarten readiness & private school testing through MICAA tutoring.
Tutor
Gina N., CDA
Registered Behavior Technician and Autism Consulting Teacher with a Master's degree in general education K-6 and special education in K-12 (severe autism).
Gina has been a special education teacher for 7 years and a autism consulting teacher for 16 years.
Tutor
Denise Uyeki, CDA
Registered Behavior Technician and Autism Consulting Teacher with a Master's degree in general education K-6 and special education in K-12 (severe autism).
Gina has been a special education teacher for 7 years and a autism consulting teacher for 16 years.
