Our Mission
The mission of the Hawaii Society of Orthodontists is to advance our members’ success through education, advocacy, and research that drive excellence in patient care.
Purposes:
- To promote the highest standards of excellence in orthodontic education and practice.
- To educate the public about the benefits of orthodontic treatment.
- To provide advocacy and services that benefit the members’ pursuit of professional success.
Vision Statement:
All orthodontic care is provided by qualified specialists who successfully address patient needs.
Core Values:
- Our members come first.
- We are inclusive.
- We are data-driven.
- We seek active engagement.
- We are ethical.
Burt Kawamoto
PresidentDr. Burt Kawamoto grew up in Aiea, Hawaii where he attended Punahou School. He attended Creighton University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Minor in Biology. Upon graduation, he moved to Kansas City where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry while also being inducted into the honorary dental society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon. Dr. Kawamoto continued his education at UMKC School of Dentistry to pursue his passion in Orthodontics and also receiving a Master of Science in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences. Dr. Kawamoto is involved in many professional organizations including the American Association of Orthodontics, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontics, Hawaii Society of Orthodontics, American Board of Orthodontics, American Dental Association, and the Hawaii Dental Association.
Dr. Kawamoto enjoys practicing in the community that he grew up in. He thoroughly enjoys how through orthodontics he is able to create meaningful relationships with his patients and their family, while simultaneously having a positive impact on others. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Kawamoto enjoys cooking for his friends and family, finding new restaurants to eat at, running, hiking, and spending time at the beach.
Kendall Tada
Past PresidentDr. Kendall Tada knew she wanted to become an orthodontist when she was in middle school. She loved the way a smile could be gradually transformed and loved analyzing what her own orthodontist did and prescribed at each appointment.
Dr. Tada grew up in Hilo, Hawaii where she graduated at the top of her class at Hilo High School. She traveled to Massachusetts to obtain her Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry with a minor in Biology at Wellesley College. She also played four years of collegiate tennis while at Wellesley.
She continued on to dental school and graduated from the University of Missouri, Kansas City in the top 10% of her class. She was awarded the American Association of Orthodontics Award, American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Award, and was inducted into the honorary society of Omicron Kappa Upsilon.
Dr. Tada also completed her orthodontic residency at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, and obtained a Master of Science in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences. After graduating from residency, Dr. Tada moved back to Hawaii to join Dr. Caswell’s orthodontic practice.
In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis with her family, especially her 94-year-old grandfather, Bernard. She also enjoys exercising, baking, drawing, painting, and playing with her cat Boba.
Vicky Lee
SecretaryGrowing up, Dr. Eunsol Victoria Lee watched her father provide free dental lab services to patients with leprosy in South Korea. From a young age, she dreamed of becoming a dentist, inspired by her father’s selfless dedication to helping those in need. Today, she feels grateful to serve her community every day, bringing joy and confidence to her patients through their new smiles.
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Dr. Lee spent most of her childhood in New Jersey, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Rutgers University. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from NYU College of Dentistry, graduating in the top 8% of her class. She further specialized at the University of Pittsburgh, earning a Certification in Orthodontics and a Masters of Dental Science.
After completing her specialty training, Dr. Lee provided orthodontic care in Queens, New York, while also serving as a part-time faculty member at Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching hospital affiliated with Harvard University. Now, as Kamaʻāina, she and her fiancé are thrilled to call Hawaiʻi their home.
In her leisure time, Dr. Lee enjoys golfing and exploring the great outdoors.
DJ Dung
TreasurerDr. DJ Dung has served as the Hawaii Society of Orthodontist Treasure and Hawaii Representative for the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontist (PCSO) for numerous years. He attended the University of Pacific in Stockton, California where he received a bachelor’s degree, the University of Missouri – Kansas City California where he received a Doctorate of Dental Surgery, and Washington University in St. Louis California where he received his Certificate in Orthodontics. His memberships include AAO, PSCO, ADA, HDA, ICD, and the American Board of Orthodontics Diplomat. In his spare time, Dr. Dung assists with the Friends of Hickam, The Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving dinner in Honolulu, and donates orthodontic services to local charities.
Daron Stevens
PCSO RepresentativeDr. Daron Stevens started his orthodontic career in Idaho. After 14 years, he sold his private practice and fulfilled a dream of working and living in Hawaii with his wife, 4 children, and 2 dogs that are spoiled like children. The beauty of the islands brings a daily smile to his face. He loves hiking, SCUBA, swimming, the beach, pickleball, and acai bowls.
Dr. Stevens graduated from Brigham Young University in Botany with a minor in Japanese, Creighton University School of Dentistry, University of Utah School of Medicine General Practice Residency, and the University of Alberta Graduate Orthodontics Master’s program with a Certificate in Orthodontics where his research was published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. He also enjoyed an internship at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research where his work was published in Science. Dr. Stevens actively serves with the Hawaii Society of Orthodontists, on the PCSO Board of Directors as the Hawaii Representative, for the AAOPAC as a National Advocacy Network leader, and previously as the Idaho State Orthodontic Society president.
