Born in the Islands.
Built to Uplift.
It started with a simple truth: small business owners in Hawaii are some of the hardest working people in the world—heart-led, hands-on, and holding so much together for their teams, communities, and families.
And yet, so many of them were burning out.
Long days. Compliance confusion. Payroll panic. HR headaches. All while trying to care for their crew and stay true to island values.
Our founder, Donna Apilado-Schumacher, saw it firsthand—over and over again. After years in payroll, HR, and bookkeeping, she kept meeting leaders who weren’t just overworked… they were overwhelmed and alone. They needed more than a vendor. They needed a partner who understood both the business and the spirit of Hawaii.
That realization became a calling.
Why We Exist
We created PayrollHR Hawaii to serve Hawaii’s small business owners in a way that truly honors who they are and what they value.
Not just with on-time payroll or compliant paperwork (though we’re proud of that too)—but with a whole-being approach rooted in the Aloha Spirit.
We believe when small businesses thrive, so do their teams, their families, and their communities. And that’s what drives us every single day.
Milestones That Matter
2006
Started AkamaiBooks bookkeeping services for Hawaii small businesses
2015
PayrollHI Hawaii founded to serve small businesses on Kauai
2017
Expanded to serve clients across multiple islands
2024
Strengthened partnerships with trusted local providers to deepen client support
2025
Sold our virtual bookkeeping arm to focus exclusively on PEO services
2026
Launching our Living Lokahi Leadership initiative: workshops and coaching rooted in well-being and servant leadership
Today
Proudly serving Hawaii’s small business community with cultural alignment, whole-being strategies, and a people-first approach
Meet the Heart Behind the Work
Donna Apilado-Schumacher
Founder, CEO & Wholebeing Strategist
Donna Apilado-Schumacher
Founder, CEO & Wholebeing Strategist
"Donna sees what’s possible for your business—and helps you get there with care, clarity, and strategy."
Donna built PayrollHR Hawaii for business owners like you—people who care deeply about their teams but don’t always have the time or bandwidth to navigate the complexities of payroll, compliance, and employee engagement. She’s here to make the complex simple, the overwhelming manageable, and the back office a place of strength instead of stress.
Her journey started in a CPA office and expanded through years of hands-on experience supporting a wide variety of small businesses—including Aloha Lumber, Common Ground Kauaʻi, the National Tropical Botanical Garden, and several tech startups—as well as serving in the Finance Department of the City of Capitola in Santa Cruz, CA. She’s even worn the hat of a mortgage officer, gaining insight into the financial realities people and businesses face every day.
These varied roles gave her a rare 360° perspective on what makes small businesses work—and what causes them to struggle, what everyday people value, and what keeps them up at night. In 2006, she launched her own bookkeeping business to fill the gaps she saw. By 2015, she expanded into PEO services—not because it was trendy, but because her clients needed more. She answered with heart and strategy, creating a company rooted in responsiveness, trust, and genuine care.
Today, Donna leads with a people-first philosophy informed by years of study and service. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu with a minor in Accounting. She's a Certified Professional Coach through iPEC and has earned certifications in meditation instruction. She’s also completed rigorous trainings with eMyth and the Servant Leadership Institute—equipping her to lead with empathy, systems thinking, and grace under pressure.
What drives her? Helping small businesses thrive by investing in what matters most: people. She’s currently earning her Master’s in Happiness Studies to integrate even deeper layers of wholebeing, leadership, and sustainable growth into her work. Once she completes her degree, she plans to continue deepening her expertise by studying for and sitting for the SHRM-SCP (Society for Human Resource Management – Senior Certified Professional) exam.
Donna doesn’t just run the business—she walks beside you, helping you make confident decisions, elevate team engagement, and build a company culture where people want to stay.
You won’t find her in a corner office—our whole team is fully remote across Hawaiʻi—but you will feel her presence in the steady support, thoughtful strategy, and caring partnership she brings to every client relationship.
Leilani Seau
Payroll & HR Manager
Leilani Seau
Payroll & HR Manager
"Leilani keeps your payroll smooth, your people supported, and your business moving forward—always with care and consistency."
When it comes to getting the details right, Leilani is your person. As PayrollHR Hawaii’s Payroll & HR Manager, she’s the steady, experienced hand making sure your team gets paid on time, your records stay clean, and your HR needs are met with both precision and aloha.
With over two decades of experience in accounting, customer service, legal admin, hospitality, and banking, Leilani brings a unique, real-world understanding of what it takes to support small businesses across Kauaʻi. Before joining PayrollHR Hawaii in 2023, she handled bookkeeping, payroll, and operations at places like Urahutia Productions, Casa di Amici Restaurant, and even supported legal clients at a law office in Līhuʻe. Whether it was reconciling payroll, managing restaurant operations, assisting in legal documentation, or greeting bank clients with warmth and professionalism—Leilani has always been the one you can count on to make things run smoothly.
What sets her apart? Her grounded presence, clear communication, and care for people. She’s known for her follow-through, calm efficiency, and making even complex processes feel simple and doable. It’s no surprise clients and team members alike feel at ease knowing Leilani is behind the scenes—making sure every detail is handled with integrity and intention.
Born and raised on Kauaʻi, Leilani’s values reflect the island itself: dependable, humble, and full of heart. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Kauaʻi Community College, along with specialized training in tax preparation and hospitality. Whether she’s running payroll, answering HR questions, or updating compliance documents, she’s doing it to help your business—and your people—thrive.
With Leilani in your corner, you can breathe easier knowing the details are handled, and your team is in good hands.
Malissa Thompson
PayrollHR Support & Bookkeeping Division Manager
Malissa Thompson
PayrollHR Support & Bookkeeping Division Manager
"Malissa is the quiet powerhouse who keeps things running smoothly—whether she’s reconciling books or stepping in to make sure your payroll gets out on time."
Malissa plays a dual role at PayrollHR Hawaii. While she manages the bookkeeping division of our business (operating as AkamaiBooks), she’s also our trusted go-to for backup support across payroll and HR. When a teammate is out sick or on vacation, Malissa steps in without skipping a beat—ensuring your people still get paid and your business keeps moving.
Since joining our team in 2022, she’s brought a rare blend of steadiness, precision, and humility to every part of her work. Whether she’s reviewing reports, processing and verifying payroll data, or quietly resolving an issue before it becomes a problem, Malissa brings clarity to complexity and calm to chaos.
She’s known for her ability to think holistically—connecting the dots between financials and HR functions—and for showing up with care, accuracy, and an unwavering commitment to client success.
With Malissa on your extended team, you can count on clean books, timely payroll, and a seamless experience—even when the unexpected happens.
Peralthena “Tina” Germo
HR Specialist (Part-Time)
Peralthena “Tina” Germo
HR Specialist (Part-Time)
"Tina is your last line of defense on payroll day—catching the little things before they become big things."
Tina brings a rare mix of dependability, precision, and calm oversight to her role as PayrollHR Hawaii’s part-time HR Specialist. Every Monday, she reviews payroll with sharp eyes and a steady presence—helping ensure your team gets paid accurately and on time. It’s behind-the-scenes work that protects your people and your peace of mind.
With a background that includes more than two decades in financial institutions, transportation, and aviation operations, Tina knows how to balance rules, relationships, and real-life pressure. Whether she was handling loans and teller operations at Kauaʻi Community Federal Credit Union, training ground crews at Līhuʻe Airport, or earning the trust of students and families as a CDL-certified school bus driver—Tina has consistently shown up with integrity, attention to detail, and professionalism.
What stands out most? Her ability to learn quickly, communicate clearly, and approach her work with humility and heart. She understands that when it comes to payroll and HR, accuracy matters—but so does trust.
A lifelong Kauaʻi resident, Tina studied office administration at Kauaʻi Community College and brings strong administrative, customer service, and compliance experience to the team. As her role evolves, we’re excited to see her continue growing with us and deepening her impact across our clients’ businesses.
Tina has a heart of gold and a spirit that lifts everyone around her. She embodies the Aloha Spirit with every interaction—resilient, positive, and always ready to help your business shine from the inside out.
The Future We’re Creating
We’re not just processing payroll—we’re helping reimagine what work can feel like in Hawaii. We envision small businesses where people feel valued, teams stay loyal, and leaders no longer have to choose between compliance and compassion.
Together, we can create workplaces where the Aloha Spirit isn’t just a slogan—it’s a daily practice.
Ready to Be Supported by a Partner Who Gets It?
If our story resonates with you, we invite you to reach out. Whether you’re feeling the weight of HR responsibilities or dreaming of a more balanced way to lead, we’re here.
