Issue 3, 2021
Recent Wishes: Alex's wish for a yurt & Eliza's wish for a family staycation Plus: Holiday Events & New Board & Staff Members
WishfulThinking • Note from Trini
Aloha Wish ‘Ohana, The Season of Wishes is upon us! We are very excited to share our latest news with you as we approach one of the busiest times of the year for our chapter. Presented by Cutter Chevrolet and Cutter Ford, we bring you Jingle Rock Ride in December. It’s a fun, festive spin on our annual family-friendly holiday event, Jingle Rock Run. We invite you to #RideTheWish and enjoy Oahu’s best holiday lights with us while tuning in to KSSK for holiday music and special messages from wish families. Create a team fundraising page and help us share the power of a wish with Hawaii keiki battling critical illnesses. ON THE COVER Lyla's wish to be a Navy SEAL came true thanks to the Show Aloha Challenge (SAC) Foundation, the Honor Watch Foundation, the team at Trident Adventures and countless volunteers. Read about her unique wish in this issue! Photo: Kourtni Thomas
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In this issue, you’ll also learn about the many ways you can support our mission throughout the holiday season, including Giving Tuesday and the Macy’s Believe campaign. You’ll also meet our new volunteer Board and Young Leaders Board members. We want to thank our entire wish ‘ohana for your continued support during these challenging times. Our sincere hope is that you’ll enjoy a safe, festive and joyful holiday season with your loved ones. Warm holiday wishes,
Trini Kaopuiki Clark President and CEO
CONNECT WITH US @ M A K E AW I S H H AWA I I
Wishful Thinking - 2021/Issue 3
Photos: David
Livingston
Erik DeRyke – Board Chair Scott Higashi - Secretary Cayenne Pe‘a - Treasurer Todd Apo Rachel Bradley Tom Calame Julianne Erickson Rick Fried Jeff Higashi Michelle Ho Charles Hunter Todd lacovelli Joe Medwetz Brenda Mitchell Darius Monsef Katie Pickman Jade Richardson Mike Rompel Keri Shepherd Andrew Shimabukuro Tiffany Vara Brian Wong Dr. Greg Yim
Our team can't wait to see you at Jingle Rock Ride on 12.12.2021! Left to right: Shari Young, Madalyn Kenney, Trini Kaopuiki Clark and Keith Usher
I wish to be a Navy SEAL
Photos: Kourtni Thomas
Lyla, 12, Kihei neurological condition
Lyla's wish to be a Navy SEAL! Swimming with a pod of spinner dolphins and riding in the turret of a Humvee were highlights of this Maui girl's extraordinary wish.
“She’s very much like me and my Navy SEAL brothers; she’s a fighter. But she’s so much more than that; Lyla’s the perfect blend of rugged toughness and lollipop sweetness, a true fighter and beauty with a heart of pure gold.” -STEVE KAPLAN FORMER NAVY SEAL OWNER, TRIDENT ADVENTURES
Lyla was a competitive soccer player and a super active Maui girl, but due to a genetic condition, she has travelled to Oahu for countless hospital visits in recent years. This resilient 12-year-old takes medications to control her daily seizures and uncontrolled body movements. In July, Lyla’s huge wish ‘ohana gathered in Kapolei, ready to help her experience an unforgettable wish. Lyla’s wish to be a Navy SEAL was made possible with support from the Show Aloha Challenge (SAC) Foundation, the Honor Watch Foundation, and countless volunteers. Her wish was brought to life by the team at Trident Adventures, a Navy SEAL-owned company on Oahu. Steve Kaplan, one of its founders, is a 16-year veteran and former Navy SEAL. He spearheaded the land and sea components of Lyla’s SEAL training, lending his expertise while bringing unwavering energy and humor to Lyla’s wish experience. It was two days filled with pure joy — including a full afternoon of simulated SEAL combat training, followed by scuba diving instruction, an open-water dive, and a relaxed afternoon on a boat with her family in the waters near Ko ‘Olina. Together, they made cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Lyla was granted an honorary SEAL designation and was gifted with a real SEAL Trident to commemorate her wish.
WITH SPECIAL SUPPORT FROM
Read more about Lyla’s story and watch her moving wish video here.
hawaii.wish.org • 808-537-3118
WishfulThinking • Events
Share in the holiday spirit and life-changing power of a wish by taking a drive to see the best holiday lights on the island! Join us for Jingle Rock Ride! Presented by Cutter Chevrolet and Cutter Ford, this familyfriendly holiday event is a fun spin on our annual Jingle Rock Run! Take a drive with us to view the most festive holiday lights on Oahu! Start your journey at the Make-A-Wish Hawaii stop at Cutter Chevrolet for some festive fun. Tune in to KSSK for holiday music and special messages from Hawaii’s wish families along the way. You'll be helping us share the power of a wish with Hawaii keiki battling critical illnesses. Create a team and help us raise essential funds to grant their most heartfelt wishes. We’ll provide a map of must-see Oahu neighborhoods and you can vote for your favorite holiday light displays. Prizes will be given for the top (individual) fundraiser, most festive ride, best dressed family and best dressed dog.
How to Ride The Wish STEP 1: REGISTER NOW The entire family is invited to join us from the safety of your vehicle. Register as an individual, join an existing team, or create a brand new team comprised of your friends, family and colleagues. $50 per vehicle registration includes a car magnet and keepsake Christmas ornament.
STEP 2: START DRIVING DONATIONS TO YOUR FUNDRAISING GOAL Share why you choose to support Make-A-Wish Hawaii this holiday season and how you have been touched by a wish.
Hawaii Prince Golf Course January 20, 2022
STEP 3: FOLLOW THE MAP Join us on event day! We’ll provide a map of different must-see neighborhoods on Oahu, and you'll be able to vote for your favorite festive lights and decorations.
STEP 4: ENJOY EVEN MORE FESTIVE FUN Swing by our Make-A-Wish Hawaii stop at Cutter Chevrolet for even more festive fun and a chance to win some great prizes, including HELE Gas cards! We'll be looking for winners in the following categories: Top Fundraising Individual Most Festive Ride Best Dressed Family Best Dressed Dog
Space Still Available!
PRESENTED BY
STEP 5: SHARE YOUR JOURNEY Document your evening with selfies and photos along the way. Don't forget to share and use #RideTheWish!
Register now at jinglerockride.com
swingforwishes.com
WishfulThinking WishfulThinking • Chapter Spotlight
Meet Our Newest Volunteer Board Members Darius “Bubs” Monsef Founder & CEO of BraveCare.com Darius is a tech entrepreneur and the founder of Hawaii nonprofit Nalukai.org. “I’ve been fortunate to be a Wish Granter and supporter of Make-A-Wish for the past few years and to see up close the amazing work we do for kids and their families in some of their hardest times… and to be able to be even a small part of giving their child a bit of joy, it is incredibly rewarding."
Cayenne Pe’a Principal & Co-founder, Alaka‘i Development Cayenne joins the Make-A-Wish Hawaii Board of Directors from the organization’s volunteer Young Leaders Board, where she served for four years. She became a Wish Granter in 2019. “Through Make-A-Wish Hawaii, so much hope, excitement, and pure joy was brought to our wish kids and their families. It is a mission that is easy to continue to support.”
Jade Richardson President of Road Builders Corporation Jade became part of the Make‐A‐Wish Hawaii ‘ohana more than 20 years ago when her daughter’s wish to visit Walt Disney World® was granted. Since then, she’s been helping other families experience the hope and joy that a wish brings. “Supporting Make‐A‐Wish is my way of giving back and paying it forward to ensure that someone else’s child will be able to experience those lifechanging moments.”
Meet Our New Young Leadership Board Members
Kara Kashiwabara HR Specialist simplicityHR by ALTRES
Lansen Leu Associate Attorney Leu Okuda and Doi
Christilei Hessler Attorney Gilson Daub LLC
Randi Lau Client Advisor American Floor & Home
David Marsh General Manager Property Management MMI Realty Services, Inc.
Rachel Hickman Direct and Email Marketing Coordinator Hawaiian Airlines
Cherise Lee Area Director of People & Culture Springboard Hospitality
Melody Sung Special Education Teacher State of Hawaii Department of Education / Wahiawa Middle School
Wishful Thinking - 2021/Issue 3
NEW EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT CRYSTAL SAKAI Wish Coordinator
What inspired you to join the MAWH team? I fell in love with the mission of Make-A-Wish when I worked at the Maui Fire Department and assisted with the wish reveal of MFD’s cutest and bravest firefighter, Honorary Firefighter Trucker. Following his journey and those of other courageous wish keiki like Kala and Tavin on Facebook, and seeing how transformative their wishes were for them and their families solidified my love for the organization, so I signed up as a wish granter about five years ago. Wishes are magical! They create happiness, resilience, confidence, and most importantly hope - not just for the wish keiki and their families, but for everyone involved with the wish. Being able to be part of the team that works hard to make these wishes happen is a dream come true for me.
What are you most looking forward to in the months and years ahead? I am most looking forward to sharing in the many, many moments of joy with our inspirational wish keiki and their families, incredible volunteers and staff, and fantastic community partners at wish reveals and events!
Tell us something most people don’t know about you. I love my two cats, but my favorite animals are seals! Especially the white, fluffy ones.
If you could have your wish granted what would it be? I wish to go to Japan with my ‘ohana and tour a castle.
ERIKA KNUDSON Wish Coordinator
What inspired you to join the MAWH team? Who wouldn’t want to work at Make-A-Wish?! And better yet, have your title be Wish Coordinator?! I used to work at Make-A-Wish Hawaii granting wishes from 2014-2018. It was my first job out of college & I loved being part of an organization that made such an impact in the lives of our wish kids and families. In pursuit of change and growth, I dedicated 3 years in human resources and continued to be part of the organization through volunteering at events and being a Wish Granter. I was wish kid Skylar’s wish granter & helped to grant his wish for a room renovation and it so was so awesome to see his smile at the reveal & know how much this will impact his and his family’s life! The last year of living through a pandemic, I realized that it is so important to be doing something that you love and what I love is mission-focused work. When I was given the opportunity to come back to Make-A-Wish Hawaii and grant wishes again, I knew that it was the right thing to do! I was inspired to rejoin the Make-AWish Hawaii team knowing that I would be impacting the lives of so many children and families - their smiles are inspiration enough!
What are you most looking forward to in the months and years ahead? I’m most looking forward to helping bring joy into our wish kids’ lives, especially after the last year and a half we’ve been through. Our wish kids and families already go through so much. To be able to be a light as part of their journey makes me the most excited! Let’s grant more wishes & make them even more amazing and life changing!
Tell us something most people don’t know about you. I love the beach, but am not the biggest fan of the ocean. However, I am a big fan of Disney and coffee – Disney and coffee are life!
If you could have your wish granted, what would it be? My wish is to be on Family Feud and meet Steve Harvey! hawaii.wish.org • 808-537-3118
WishfulThinking • Recent Wishes
CHANGE THE LIVES OF WISH KIDS Mahalo for making wishes possible! Eliza’s Wish for a Staycation At just five years old, Eliza has endured 18 surgeries, with more to follow. She is otherwise healthy, joyful, and adventurous. Eliza was born with Pfeiffer syndrome, a rare genetic condition characterized by premature fusion of certain skull bones (craniosynostosis). In Eliza's case, she faces limitations in movement due to fused joints, as well as other complications of her condition. While her parents hoped Eliza could experience Walt Disney World® this year, the pandemic changed their plans. Eliza and her family instead enjoyed a staycation at the Kahala Hotel & Resort on Oahu, where she swam with dolphins in the enclosed lagoon. A special thanks to Steve and Marilyn Katzman for adopting Eliza's special wish.
I wish to have a staycation at The Kahala Hotel & Resort
"Eliza loved her staycation and all the activities. It was our most relaxing and refreshing time as a family. We felt overjoyed, blessed, grateful, and humbled." -BRANDON E L I Z A’ S D A D
Eliza, 5, Kaneohe genetic condition
Scan to Watch Eliza’s Wish
Alex’s Wish To Have a Yurt I wish to have a yurt Alex, 17, Hilo neuromuscular condition
Scan to Watch Alex’s Wish
Mahalo to Show Aloha Challenge for adopting Alex's wish!
Alex’s wish to have a yurt was inspired by his love of fantasy epics like the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. Alex is a bright, articulate 16-year-old from Hawai‘i Island. Facing the slow progression of Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, Alex was thoughtful about choosing a wish he’d be able to enjoy as his condition slowly robs him of his physical abilities. Private by nature, he’s a voracious reader who dreamt of a Hobbit house and wished for a private space where he could escape into his imagination and the worlds of his favorite characters and stories. His yurt was raised with the expert help of Yurts of Hawaii against the lush tropical backdrop of Volcano, Hawaii. "It was a very rainy day, but it was truly special to see Alex's face light up as he turned toward the sunlight shining through the dome of his yurt that day." -KEITH USHER BR AND MANAGER & GR APHIC DESIGNER
Wishful Thinking - 2021/Issue 3
RECENT WISHES Markie's Wish To Have a Rifton Mobile Stander This specialized piece of equipment will greatly improve Markie's quality of life, allowing him more of mobility and freedom. Markie uses a wheelchair and can bear weight with assistance. This sweet 11-year-old battles extensive medical conditions, including epilepsy and cerebral palsy. He is legally blind and suffers recurrent seizures. Due to his several conditions, Markie is developmentally delayed and has limited mobility. Markie's wish was recently revealed to him with great fanfare at Moanalua High School, where the marching band played Markie's favorite music and the community shared in the joy of his wish.
I wish to have a Rifton Mobile Stander Markie, 11, Honolulu nervous system condition
Scan to Watch Markie’s Wish
Mahalo to Zilber Family Foundation for adopting Markie's wish!
I wish to be a traveling artist Skylaa, 9, Kahului kidney disease
Skylaa’s Wish To Be a Traveling Artist Nine-year-old Skylaa had her wish to be a traveling artist brought to life with the help of her art-loving Maui community. Skylaa lives with her loving grandparents Emeli and Nelson and her brother on Maui. Her Wish Day was designed to encourage her passion and love for creating art. Her unique wish experience began with a walking tour of Wailuku that ended with art lessons from a prominent local muralist. Back at home, Skylaa was delighted with a treasure trove of gifts, art supplies, and inspiration, along
Scan to Watch Skylaa’s Wish
with a curated selection of her own creations artfully displayed on her bedroom wall. After
Mahalo to Hawaiian Electric Maui for adopting Skylaa's wish!
“Skylaa’s wish came to life through the hands and hearts of the Maui community. From artists to local vendors, it took many people to make Skylaa’s special wish come true.” -KARI BOGNER DIREC TOR OF MISSION DELIVERY
opening her many gifts, she and her family shared a takeout lunch from her favorite restaurant. Skylaa is a gifted young artist able to create art out of ordinary things, and she’s been innovating and making art since she was 6 years old. That same year she began traveling regularly to Honolulu for treatment for kidney disease.
hawaii.wish.org • 808-537-3118
WishfulThinking • Recent & Upcoming Campaigns
RECENT & UPCOMING C A M PA I G N S
As part of the nationwide annual Macy’s Believe campaign, Macy’s will donate $1 for every letter to Santa written in-store or online this holiday season, up to $1 million! Mahalo Macy’s for your continued partnership!
This summer we teamed up with our friends at Dunkin' Hawaii to help raise money to grant wishes for our local keiki. All four restaurants offered two easy options for customers to be able to give, with all proceeds benefitting Make-A-Wish Hawaii!
Through the end of the year, a percentage of proceeds from Jams World’s Waiola Orange and Waiola Black collections will benefit Make-A-Wish Hawaii. Treat yourself and shop to benefit a wonderful cause today!
Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that encourages everyone to do good! Whether it’s donating your time, money or talents, you can make a difference in your community. Help us share the power of a wish with local keiki this Giving Tuesday, held on November 30. Start a Facebook fundraising page for Make-A-Wish Hawaii.
$10 from every purchase of a Make-A-Snowman kit from Ice Cubed Hawaii benefits wish kids! If you’d like, you can also gift one to a wish kid to bring them some holiday magic! Each Shave Ice kit comes with 5-6 pounds of food grade “snow”, decorations, and syrups donated by Harders Hawaii to make your own rainbow shave ice.
Your donated miles can help a child’s wish take flight.
Donate airline miles at hawaii.wish.org/miles.
D O N O R S P OT L I G H T UAH Donates $15,000 to Support Wish Kids Each year, the Underwriters Association of Hawaii (UAH) and its membership, comprised of insurance companies across our state, contributes to support nonprofits through fundraising at the organization’s annual golf tournament. But due to the surge in COVID cases and gathering restrictions this year, UAH made the tough decision to cancel the summer event. With a huge heart for our mission, HEMIC’s Operations Director Evelyn Hara — who also serves as UAH President — spearheaded a fundraising campaign with help from the golf committee. As a group, insurance professionals and companies rallied around our mission, raising more money than ever before. They contributed $15,000 to grant wishes to local keiki battling critical illnesses. Make-A-Wish Hawaii Corporate Relations Manager Arden Salassa said, “We are so touched that UAH still supported our mission in this impactful way, despite having to cancel their event this year.” “Even though the tournament was cancelled, we were still committed to making a donation to this year’s chosen beneficiary, Make-A-Wish Hawaii,” said Evelyn Hara. “This was especially important to us as this year the UAH Board elected to have our membership involved in the selection of the tournament beneficiary.” Their membership voted overwhelmingly in support of Make-A-Wish Hawaii.
“We are proud to support and partner with an organization that makes such a difference in our community.” – E V E LY N H A R A U A H P R E S I D E N T & O P E R AT I O N S D I R E C T O R AT H I M I , A S U B S I D I A R Y O F H E M I C
A huge mahalo to UAH and their members for their incredible support and partnership. In a very challenging year for businesses and nonprofits alike, this gift from UAH means so much to our wish kids and their families. Thank you, especially, to these UAH members for your generosity and heart for the families we serve: Brown & Brown Pacific Insurance Services, Inc. Business Insurance Services, Inc. DB Insurance First Insurance Funding (Wintrust Financial Corp.) Finance Factors Foundation HEMIC Innovative Insurance Resources LLC Insurance Associates, Inc. National Interstate ********** UAH BOARD OF DIRECTORS President – Evelyn Hara Vice President – Lori Butay-Shimabukuro Secretary – Ashley Yaris Treasurer – Wing Ho Chairman – Takushi Nagayama
hawaii.wish.org • 808-537-3118
Make-A-Wish® Hawaii 223 South King Street, Suite 100 Honolulu, HI 96813 www.hawaii.wish.org
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Photo: David Livingston
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UPCOMING EVENTS!
November 30, 2021 hawaii.wish.org
Sunday, December 12, 2021 jinglerockride.com
January 20, 2022 swingforwishes.com
To find out more about upcoming events, please call (808) 537-3118 or visit our website hawaii.wish.org.