Karen Yasukawa: Kikawa Group Advisor Lands $196K Complaint

A recent, denied investor complaint against Honolulu, Hawaii financial advisor Karen Yasukawa (CRD# 1540654) alleges that her conduct resulted in six-figure damages. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that she is registered as a broker and an investment advisor with Raymond James & Associates.

Ms. Yasukawa’s BrokerCheck report discloses two investor complaints. The most recent, filed in December 2024, alleges that as a representative of Raymond James, she “was responsible for funds missing from the account.” The complaint alleged damages of $196,838.45 and was denied by the firm.

An earlier investor complaint, filed in 1999, alleged that as a Smith Barney representative, she did not follow “instructions on what type of mutual funds to purchase.” The complaint alleged damages of $25,000 and was denied by the firm.

Raymond James & Associates’ website includes a profile of Ms. Yasukawa that describes her as a member of The Kikawa Group, a practice within the firm. “Karen has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and serves as the primary consultant to a variety of institutional plans including Corporate, Endowment, Foundation, and Taft-Hartley Joint-Trusteed plans,” the profile states. “She also serves as the principal consultant responsible for assisting clients with the development and implementation of their defined contribution programs. This includes providing educational support and opportunities for participants and the program fostering their growth and development.”

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Karen Yasukawa holds 38 years of the securities industry experience. Based in Honolulu, Hawaii, she has been registered as a broker and an investment advisor with Raymond James & Associates since 2017. Her registration history includes UBS Financial Services, Citigroup Global Markets, Everen Securities, HJ Meyers & Company, Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company, Aetna Capital Management, and Aetna Financial Services. Her credentials include the passage of seven securities industry qualifying exams: the Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Principal Examination, or Series 26; the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7; the Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representative Examination, or Series 6; the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination, or Series 65; and the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, or Series 63. She is licensed in California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, New York, Texas, and Washington. (Information current as of January 12, 2025.)

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