2022: Spring Issue
I wish to have a hydraulic dump trailer! Taiyo, 19, Kaneohe cancer
Plus: Meet our Wish! Through the Decades gala honorees
WishfulThinking • Note from Trini
Aloha Wish ‘Ohana, 2022 is off to an amazing start! Travel wishes are taking off and our wish kids are visiting exciting destinations for their wishes to come true. They’re going to see Aurora Borealis in Alaska, meet Minecraft developers in Washington and see Hamilton on Broadway in New York City, to name a few. Meanwhile, we continue to grant lifechanging wishes here at home–including wishes to have a staycation at a home with a pool, a customized golf cart and electronics.
Photo: Keith Usher
B O A R D O F D I R E C TO R S 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 Iacovelli Joe Medwetz Brenda Mitchell Darius Monsef Katie Pickman Jade Richardson Mike Rompel Keri Shepherd Andrew Shimabukuro Tiffany Vara Brian Wong Dr. Greg Yim
We are so happy to have been able to get together for in-person events, including the 15th Annual Swing for Wishes golf tournament in partnership with Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, and our Young Leaders Board’s third annual Wine for Wishes … on the Water! These events are so much fun and, most importantly, raise much-needed funds to grant wishes for local keiki waiting for their wishes to come true. Whether near, far, virtual or in person, mahalo for your continued support of our mission. We couldn’t grant wishes without you! Much aloha,
Trini Kaopuiki Clark President and CEO
Grillo
Taiyo’s wish to have a hydraulic dump trailer came true thanks to the generosity of Leadership Works and his dedicated wish granters. Read about his wish day and how he plans to ‘wish it forward’ in this issue.
Photos: Tony
ON THE COVER
In the midst of planning all of these wonderful wishes, we are so excited to be celebrating our 40th anniversary this year. Our annual gala, Wish! Through the Decades, will be a virtual celebration of the wishes granted in Hawaii over the past 40 years, while supporting our local wish kids who are waiting for wishes today. Please join us— save the date and set your DVR for Saturday, May 14 on Hawaii News Now's K5. You'll get a sneak peek of the honorees in this issue of Wishful Thinking!
CONNECT WITH US @ M A K E AW I S H H AWA I I
Swing for Wishes, above, and Wine for Wishes ... on the Water were wonderful events. Mahalo to everyone who joined us!
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Newsletter | 2022: Spring Issue
Cover Story
Wish kid Taiyo is joined by supporters Debbie and Glenn Furuya of Leadership Works.
“Treatment is just an ongoing and regular thing, but it doesn’t stop you from being who you are or what you’re going to do in life.” - TAIYO, WISH KID
W I S H S TO RY
Taiyo's
Wish Granted! “Move that bus!” WITH SPECIAL SUPPORT FROM
G
athered in the beautiful Paliku Gardens at Kualoa Ranch, 19-yearold Taiyo, who is fighting cancer, was joined by his family, friends, wish granters, supporters and even the media, for his wish to have a hydraulic dump trailer come true. Led by Taiyo, the group exclaimed, “Move that bus!”—inspired by the television show “Extreme Makeover Home Edition”—and a Kualoa Ranch bus slowly drove away to reveal a hydraulic dump trailer, a representation of the hope Taiyo has for his future. For the last 2 years, Taiyo missed a lot of school for his chemotherapy and radiation treatments, but he didn’t let that get him down. “Treatment is just an ongoing and regular thing, but it doesn’t stop you from being who you are or what you’re going to do in life.” Taiyo says. This bright young man has given a lot of thought to his future and aspires to start his own hauling and heavy equipment rental company. Thanks to the generous support of Debbie and Glenn Furuya of Leadership Works, Taiyo's wish came true. "He was really interested in what we do: starting a business, being an entrepreneur, and leadership development," Debbie says. Taiyo’s wish come true represents a major step in his new business venture. “It definitely gives me hope and more of a secure feeling toward what I’m going to do as a career. It kind of makes up for the time that I lost,” he says. This Kaneohe boy is already using the power of his wish to wish it forward; recently, he helped Make-A-Wish Hawaii transport a special tracked wheelchair for a waiting wish kid. “The only thing I can do now is just to pay it forward, and hopefully use profits to help other kids in need,” he says.
Watch Taiyo’s wish story featured on Hawaii News Now.
Debbie and Glenn find that by supporting Make-A-Wish Hawaii, they get back more than they give. "Seeing these kids and the families and the hope it brings to them, you can't put a price tag on that. I would hope everybody would want to get involved and help sponsor a child's wish," Debbie says. 2022: Spring Issue | Newsletter
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WishfulThinking • Wish Gala
We are pleased to announce Make-A-Wish Hawaii’s annual gala, Wish! Through the Decades. Throughout 2022, we are celebrating our 40th anniversary of granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses in Hawaii. Join us as we delight in an evening of hope and inspiration in a televised celebration. Wish! Through the Decades will premier Saturday, May 14 at 7 p.m. on Hawaii News Now’s K5, and will be rebroadcast on Saturday, May 21 at 6 p.m. on KGMB and Sunday, May 29 at 4:30 p.m. on KHNL. This year’s theme is a celebration of the wishes granted in Hawaii over the past 40 years, and will raise crucial funds to support our local wish kids who are waiting for wishes today. Together, we can change lives and deliver invaluable experiences for our wish children, their families and all the community members that make each wish possible.
MEET OUR HONOREES! During Wish! Through the Decades, we’ll be recognizing select supporters who have gone above and beyond to impact the lives of our wish families. From medical partners and volunteers to board members and donors, many people come together to grant each wish. We are so grateful to each honoree for their heartfelt support to fulfill our mission.
Corporate Partner of the Year: Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
Photos: A be
McAulto n
A valued partner for more than 15 years, Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa has raised over $1.4 million to transform the lives of Hawaii children with critical illnesses through the annual Swing for Wishes golf tournament, one of Make-A-Wish Hawaii’s largest fundraisers. Caring for our community is a responsibility at the core of Hyatt Regency Waikiki’s business. Indeed, countless lives have been impacted through their partnership in raising vital funds for our mission. We are so grateful for the entire team at Hyatt Regency Waikiki and their longstanding dedication to our wish keiki and their ‘ohana!
Gala Honorees Volunteers of the Year: Nikki Wong and Jen McNeff
Philanthropist of the Year: Mike Gangloff With both the heart and drive to make a difference, Mike Gangloff is the epitome of a true philanthropist. His vision to uplift our Hawaii community during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the impressive Show Aloha Land light display, which has dazzled keiki and adults alike for the past two holiday seasons. Thanks to a partnership with MakeA-Wish Hawaii, a portion of the proceeds from Show Aloha Land is helping grant dozens of local wishes. Mike even ensured that wish families in attendance received VIP treatment with a special area and first-class experiences of the light show.
Medical Partner of the Year: Dr. Robert Wilkinson For more than four decades, pediatric oncologist and hematologist Dr. Robert Wilkinson—or Dr. Bob, as he’s affectionately called by his patients— has been at the forefront of both treating Hawaii’s keiki with top care and making their wishes come true. Dr. Wilkinson has brought innovative, nationally recognized clinical trials to thousands of local children in both private practice and at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children. One of Make-A-Wish Hawaii’s first board members and medical advisors, Dr. Wilkinson has also been an advocate for the healing power of a wish since our inception in 1982.
Maui wish granting duo Nikki Wong and Jen McNeff have been granting wishes, raising funds and rallying the Maui community behind their local wish keiki for much of the last decade. Nikki and Jen haven’t let anything get in the way of making magic come true, last year becoming the first neighbor island volunteers to grant a wish without the on-site support of our staff, who were unable to travel due to the pandemic. In bringing Pua’s wish to have her own videography equipment to life and in all that they do, Nikki and Jen truly embody their belief that, “there is nothing better than to see our very own Hawaii kids happy.”
Magic Maker of the Year: Hawaii Stage & Lighting Hawaii Stage & Lighting is a local family business that was inspired to “wish it forward” after a wish touched their own family nearly 25 years ago. With a personal touch and deep heart for our mission, the team at Hawaii Stage & Lighting has gone above and beyond year after year to make our largest annual fundraising events possible, generously donating 100% of their time, services and equipment. Hawaii Stage & Lighting is committed to making wishes come true so that Hawaii keiki can shift their focus back to their childhoods and imagine life beyond illness. They can always be counted upon to make magic possible for our wish keiki and the entire community.
Wish Family of the Year: Wish Alum McKella & ‘Ohana An avid horseback rider and rodeo enthusiast, Big Island wish kid McKella drew strength and hope from her wish to attend the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas five years ago. McKella’s wish continues to inspire her family and impact her entire community as she and her mother Jessica now “wish it forward” by granting wishes as a volunteer team. From working with other wish families to recruiting volunteers, McKella and Jessica are eager to reach every keiki with the life-changing power of a wish. Granting wishes has truly become a central part of the family’s identity—wish dad Donnell and sister Dana recently helped make Jonah’s wish to have a UTV possible! For the past 40 years and all those to come, wish families like McKella’s are the heart of our mission.
WishfulThinking • Leadership Team
Meet our Leadership Team!
Make-A-Wish Hawaii deeply appreciates the ongoing support of our committed local leaders driving our mission forward with compassion. In this issue, we’re pleased to introduce you to two incredible champions: Keri Shepherd from the Board of Directors and Kara Kashiwabara from the Young Leaders Board.
B OA R D S P OT L I G H T
Keri Shepherd Keri Shepherd is the producing area manager for HomeBridge Financial Services. She has two children and has always loved working with, and for, kids. Once her son and daughter had both headed off to college, Keri used her new free time to support the community. She fell in love with Make-A-Wish Hawaii’s mission and joined the Board of Directors in 2017. “It’s a busy chapter to help with,” Keri says. “Doing what I can to make sure kids get their wish is the best way to spend my time.” Keri serves on the Development Committee, is actively involved in Jingle Rock Ride, and helps with the gala. With 20 years of experience as a wedding planner, Keri is a natural at planning events and bringing people together. “I enjoy connecting with other community members and being a part of a platform that’s making a difference in people’s lives the way Make-A-Wish Hawaii is. Granting wishes is also a way that we see the tangible results of our fundraising efforts,” she says. Keri looks forward to every child’s wish coming true. And if she had a wish, it’d be for world peace. “Sounds cheesy, but we need it more than ever and I’m sure I’m not the only one wishing for that these days!”
YO U N G L E A D E R S B OA R D S P OT L I G H T
Kara Kashiwabara Kara Kashiwabara became involved with Make-A-Wish Hawaii through her role as an HR Specialist for simplicityHR by Altres. She attended many of our Young Leaders Board events, including Waffles for Wishes and Wine for Wishes and wanted to become even more involved. Kara became a member of the Young Leaders Board in August 2021. Since joining our Young Leaders Board, Kara has enjoyed collaborating with her peers to touch the hearts of our wish kids and takes pride in knowing the money they raise benefits children who are faced with critical illnesses. Her message to our wish kids: Don’t stop dreaming and believing! “Our keiki are the future and when one gets thrown a curve ball in life, they need hopes and dreams to get back on track in reaching for the stars,” Kara says. “As a mother, I have witnessed the ups and downs of life, but we have been blessed to have not faced a lifethreatening curve ball. If I can make a difference in granting wishes for our keiki, it will bring me complete joy and fulfillment.” If Kara had a wish, it would be for a trip around the world. 6
Newsletter | 2022: Spring Issue
Photo: Mariah Milan Photography
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST STAFF MEMBERS STEPHANIE SILVERSTEIN
Senior Communications Manager What inspired you to join the Make-A-Wish Hawaii team? Many of my close friends have worked for Make-A-Wish Hawaii over the last decade. Hearing how personally rewarding their work is, and how powerful a wish is to a child, drew me to the organization. I enjoy meeting new people, storytelling through journalism and giving back to our community, and what better way to combine my personal and professional interests?
What are you most looking forward to in the months and years ahead? My fiancé and I did volunteer wish granter training together, and I’m looking forward to meeting more of our wish kids and helping to make their wishes come true. And I’m looking
Marilou, her husband Chris, and their children Macen and Landen started volunteering with Make-A-Wish Hawaii in 2014.
MARILOU DULDULAO Program Services Assistant
What inspired you to join the Make-A-Wish Hawaii team? My family and I had the opportunity to join Make-A-Wish Hawaii as volunteers in 2014. We helped at events such as the gala and Jingle Rock Run. Volunteering became a family tradition which reflected our values and priorities of giving back to our community.
forward to getting married this summer!
The rewards of volunteering led me to become a wish granter in
Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
strength for our wish kids. It gives me pure joy to see communities
I'm adventurous and love to travel! Some of my favorite trips in the last several years were fishing in Alaska; snowboarding in the mountains of Niseko, Japan; and hiking on the North and South islands of New Zealand.
If you could have your wish granted, what would it be? I wish to see the Na Pali Coast by land, sea and air.
2017. As a wish granter, I have the opportunity to create hope and come together to help a family in need. The staff at Make-A-Wish Hawaii also inspired me to join the team. They always provided genuine support, so I also wanted to be able to provide that same support to my fellow wish granters, community and wish families.
What are you most looking forward to in the months and years ahead? I am most looking forward to our wish kiddos and their families safely enjoying their wishes that were put on hold during the pandemic. I’m also looking forward to more hugs!
Tell us something most people don’t know about you. I can speak and understand Ilocano (Filipino dialect). My grandparents and parents spoke to me in Ilocano growing up. Maintaining my understanding of the language allows me to communicate more effectively with others who speak the language.
If you could have your wish granted, what would it be? I wish to visit the Seven Wonders of the World.
2022: Spring Issue | Newsletter
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WishfulThinking • Recent Wishes
LIFE-CHANGING WISHES
A glimpse at some of the recent wishes granted thanks to your generous support! Alyssiya’s Wish for a Customized Golf Cart Alyssiya, a twelve-year-old Kauai girl, was diagnosed with cancer in 2020. She’s undergone chemotherapy and her current medication often causes her to feel less like her happy-go-lucky self. Alyssiya wished to have a custom golf cart so she could easily visit her grandma who lives closeby. She drew a detailed picture of a teal and pink golf cart decorated with Sumikko Gurashi characters and koalas, her favorite animal. Thanks to a generous donation from Show Aloha Challenge Foundation, Alyssiya’s wish came true! Golf Concepts Oahu customized a golf cart to look exactly like Alyssiya’s drawing, and it was generously shipped to Kauai by Young Brothers. “Seeing her happy is what we want and we know that this is going to make her ecstatic.” — G E M M A LY N WISH MOM
I wish to have an electronics shopping spree! James, 13, Waianae congenital heart condition
I wish to have a customized golf cart! Alyssiya, 12, Kapaa cancer
Scan to Watch Alyssiya's Wish
Mahalo to Show Aloha Challenge Foundation for adopting James and Alyssiya's wishes!
James’s Wish for a computer!
Scan to Watch James's Wish
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Newsletter | 2022: Spring Issue
Thirteen-year-old James is a creative, outgoing kid. He loves the theater and the arts, and pre-pandemic he performed in his first production at his school. Since the lockdown, James and his family have kept to themselves to stay safe. James has a congenital heart condition and can’t afford to be exposed to COVID-19. James enjoys playing video games— especially Minecraft—and wished to have a computer so he could combine his favorite hobbies of playing games and creating art. Thanks to Show Aloha Challenge Foundation, James’s wish came true! He attended a matinee play at Hawaii Theatre and after the show he was presented with his new computer by the actors.
Jahzel’s Wish to have a Staycation with a Pool This spunky 8-year-old from Waipahu loves K-pop, painting, playing with her pet bunnies, the beach and all things purple! Jahzel has been undergoing treatments for lupus for two years and her condition means she has to avoid sun exposure. She is a water baby and a night owl, so her sweet and simple wish was to have a family staycation at a home with a pool so that after sunset, she could swim to her heart’s content. No lifeguards. No time limits. No crowds. No pressure. Just a private space away from the pandemic and crowds where she and her family could make special memories. Mahalo to Century 21 iProperties Hawaii for their support to help make Jahzel’s wish come true!
I wish to have a staycation with a pool Jahzel, 8, Waipahu lupus
Mahalo to Century 21 iProperties Hawaii for adopting Jahzel's wish!
Scan to Watch Jahzel’s Wish
Lansen’s wish to have an iPad Eighteen-year-old Waipahu boy, Lansen, has a nervous system condition and currently resides at a center for medically fragile children. Lansen’s wish to have an iPad allows him to stay better connected to Dad, Eric, through FaceTime calls, and to watch music videos of his favorite artist, BLACKPINK! On his wish day, dancers from 24-7 Danceforce performed to BLACKPINK!’s songs, bringing high energy and enthusiasm to this wonderful day.
“As a parent, I got really emotional and cried when I watched his wish come true. He’s been through so much... I was so happy that something really good happened to him.” -ERIC WISH DAD
I wish to have an iPad Lansen, 18, Waipahu nervous system condition
Scan to Watch Lansen’s Wish
2022: Spring Issue | Newsletter
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WishfulThinking • Events
R E C E N T E V E N T S & C A M PA I G N S
Photo: Darcy Fiero
Our 9th annual holiday event was a wonderful way to celebrate the season and engage our community in the lifechanging power of a wish. Jingle Rock Ride raised more than $175,000 to grant wishes and change the lives of wish kids in Hawaii. Mahalo to presenting sponsor Cutter Chevrolet and Cutter Ford for their support, all of this year’s generous sponsors, and to everyone who joined us to rock the wish!
Photo: Keith Usher
The 15th Annual Swing for Wishes golf tournament was a bright, fun day on the course for our golfers, volunteers, sponsors and staff. Thanks to the generous support for this event, more than $145,000 was raised for Make-A-Wish Hawaii! A special mahalo to event partner Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, presenting sponsor Dave & Buster’s, and all of this year’s golfers and food and beverage partners. Save the date for the 16th Annual Swing for Wishes: October 20, 2022.
Photos: Tony Grillo
Our Young Leaders Board hosted the third annual Wine for Wishes … on the Water! This chic sunset cruise raised more than $57,000 to support our waiting wish kids. Mahalo to Chef Chai and Dave & Buster’s for the bites and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits for the beverages, and to this year’s event sponsors for supporting this wonderful event!
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Newsletter | 2022: Spring Issue
For years, Case Lombardi has been a sponsor for Make-A-Wish Hawaii events. In addition to events, they rally behind our wish children by holding staff fundraisers and donating the much-needed funds that directly impact wishes. Most recently, the company held a bobbing for apples fundraiser and its employees raised $2,330 for Make-AWish Hawaii.
The Super American Circus is coming to Hawaii! Take your family for a fun experience while supporting a great cause; $1 from every ticket sold will benefit Make-A-Wish Hawaii. Hilo: April 14-16; Kona: April 22-24; Oahu: April 29-May 1; Maui: May 6-8.
Shop for a cause! A portion of the proceeds from Jams World Honolulu’s Bay Leaf Collection, launching in May, will benefit Make-A-Wish Hawaii. Pick up something for yourself or a friend and help raise money to make wishes come true.
Lei Day, graduations and Mother’s Day make May a month for florals! As part of its commitment to giving back to the community, Watanabe Floral is partnering with Make-A-Wish Hawaii and donating a portion of proceeds from Mother’s Day orders to our organization. Plus, Watanabe Floral will be holding Star sales throughout May.
From May 2-8, a portion of proceeds from each Kokua Pac sold at Zippy’s Restaurants will be donated to Make-A-Wish Hawaii as part of the company’s Mahalo May campaign.
D O N O R S P OT L I G H T
Honolulu Freight Service transports special cargo for kids across the islands Honolulu Freight Service, a family-owned business that’s been transporting goods to the islands for 85 years, understands the power of a wish. Through its freight forwarding service, the company plays a critical role in helping to make wishes for local keiki come true. “Honolulu Freight Service has helped us acquire multiple wish items from the mainland, making granting the wishes possible,” says Kari Bogner, director of mission delivery at Make-A-Wish Hawaii. “From spa tubs for therapy and increased mobility to playgrounds and pottery wheels, Honolulu Freight Service has been an incredibly important partner of Make-A-Wish Hawaii! We cannot emphasize enough that many of the wishes we have granted would not have been possible without their help.” When a kid wishes for something that needs to be delivered from the mainland, Honolulu Freight Service is there to help. The company donates its ocean freight cost to transport items from any of its four terminals on the West Coast to Hawaii. Most recently, Honolulu Freight Service shipped playground equipment from Los Angeles to Honolulu, then Honolulu to Maui, to help make 7-year-old Wailuku boy Tekauri’s wish to have a backyard playground come true. When wish equipment is on board, everyone at the company is aware, and takes extra special care knowing that they’re helping bring hope to kids when they need it most. The entire team finds joy in this special aspect of the job. “It’s a way the company can give back to the community that’s supported them for 85 years,” says Daron Nakasone, vice president of sales and marketing. Corporate Vice President Jim Beidleman, whose grandfather started the company in 1936, says the employees take pride in Honolulu Freight Service’s support of Make-A-Wish Hawaii. When they see items for a wish kid come across their freight paperwork, the dock, or load it for delivery, they feel connected. “There’s no greater happiness than a child’s laughter or a child’s smile,” Jim says. “It’s a great blessing to be in the position we’re in to contribute in some small way to bring some joy, some happiness to a child that is going through so much.”
“It’s a way the company can give back to the community that’s supported them for 85 years.” —DARON NAK ASONE HONOLULU FREIGHT SERVICE
Honolulu Freight Service transported playground equipment to make this wish for a backyard playground come true. Photo: Angela Dutro-Ponce
UPCOMING CAMPAIGNS
Donor Spotlight
I wish to have a backyard playground! Tekauri, 7, Wailuku brain tumor 2022: Spring Issue | Newsletter
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