Make-A-Wish Hawaii

Happy National Lollipop Day from Wish Kid Saipelia! 🍭

To celebrate, IT'SUGAR will donate 100% of non-branded lollipop sales made on July 20 to support our mission! Each lollipop you buy helps us bring joy and grant wishes to children with critical illnesses. You can help make this the sweetest day ever! 💖

Wish granted! 💙

Saipelia is an intelligent 14-year-old girl from Ewa Beach with a variety of interests. She was living a normal, healthy life until about a year-and-a-half ago, when she began developing headaches. The pain she felt escalated to a seizure, and a scan revealed a brain tumor.

Saipelia is resilient and was determined to get better. After two surgeries and chemotherapy, her health seems to have stabilized. While fighting for recovery, Saipelia kept her mind on the future and her favorite hobbies. She gave a lot of thought to what her most heartfelt wish would be—a welcome distraction to keep her mind on happy thoughts—and settled on a shopping spree so she could explore everything that brings her joy! 🛍️

Saipelia’s wish to have a shopping spree brought her to Ala Moana Center for the very first time. She was delighted to dash around the mall and pick out all her favorite things, from electronics to fashionable clothing, the latest LEGOs, and snuggly Squishmallows—with a delicious and entertaining lunch at Tanaka of Tokyo.

“Everything was perfect,” Saipelia said after her wish was granted, adding that she feels extremely happy.

Mahalo to Super American Circus for their generosity in granting Saipelia’s wish to have a shopping spree!

Santa Claus is coming to Jingle Rock Run!

Save the date to join Make-A-Wish Hawaii at Jingle Rock Run on Sunday, December 15! We'll have activities for the whole ‘ohana to enjoy, including a photo op with Santa Claus 🎅🏼, a keiki sprint 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♂️, and a 2.5-mile sunset stroll. 🌅

Register before July 31 with promo code CHRISTMASINJULY to save $5, receive an exclusive holiday item, and commit to giving keiki with critical illnesses the greatest gift this holiday season: hope.

Go to jinglerockrun.com to sign up today! ⭐️

Wish granted! 💙

Krayson is a joyful, energetic 14-year-old boy from Waipahu who battles a seizure disorder. His family wished for a therapy clubhouse so Krayson could have a safe, focused environment for learning and growth.

Make-A-Wish Hawaii teamed up with Swinerton and several local businesses to make Krayson’s wish come true! Careful consideration went into every detail of the clubhouse to ensure it would be suitable for his needs. This custom clubhouse brought immediate comfort to Krayson. Daily use will bring him peace and confidence as he continues to hone his developmental skills.

Read more about Krayson’s wish: https://wish.org/hawaii/kraysons-wish-have-therapy-clubhouse

Mahalo to these partners for making Krayson's wish come true!
Swinerton
California Closets
CHB Architects
Island Flooring
J&B Materials
Pacific Building Materials
Rosendin
WE Painting, Inc.

📸: Rayen Watanabe

It’s time for summer reading — the new issue of Wishful Thinking is here! 😎📚

In our summer issue, read about:
☀️ Recent life-changing wishes granted, like Krayson’s wish to have a therapy clubhouse
☀️ The impact made by medical partners like pediatric neurologist Dr. Keith Abe
☀️ The generosity of corporate partners like Maui Divers Jewelry
☀️ and more!

Go to hawaii.wish.org/wishfulthinking-newsletter to check it out! 💙

Make-A-Wish Hawaii loves Love’s! 💙🍞

Love's Bakery and Hawaii Foodservice Alliance are hosting the 4th Annual Love's Spirit of Giving and will award $75,000 to local nonprofits that make a difference in the community. We’d love your nomination for Make-A-Wish Hawaii!

Go to lovesbakery.com/spirit-of-giving-2024/ to nominate Make-A-Wish Hawaii by filling out the entry form with the following information:

💫 Contact at Organization: Trini Kaopuiki Clark (or a personal connection if you know a MAWH team member!)
💫 Email of Contact at Organization: [email protected]
💫 Contact's Position: President & CEO
💫 Contact's Phone Number: (808) 537-3118
💫 Type of Organization: Other
💫 Organization Address: 900 Fort Street Mall, Suite 1200
💫 Organization City: Honolulu
💫 Tax ID #: 99-0220777

Make-A-Wish Hawaii grants life-changing wishes that spark imagination, deliver strength, and inspire hope for children fighting critical illnesses and their families. There are 87 keiki across the state who are waiting for the power of a wish. Your nomination can help grant wishes! ✨

Summer interns Zack, Kelsi and Kaydie are making an impact on the lives of keiki with critical illnesses, and you can, too! 💫

Our fall internship applications are open through July 15! We're looking for passionate individuals to contribute to Communications, Development & Corporate Relations, Events, Program Services, and Wish Assist. Gain valuable skills, work with an amazing team, and be part of something truly special.
⁠
Learn more and apply now: hawaii.wish.org/intern-us

Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

Sending a big mahalo to our nation’s heroes, including former Navy SEAL Steve Kaplan, who helped grant Lyla’s wish to be a Navy SEAL three years ago this month!

Navy SEALs are the U.S. military’s most elite special operations force, known for their strength, stamina, and unbreakable bond. Lyla is a brave girl from Kihei who courageously battles a seizure disorder. Lyla’s wish shared with the world what she already knew in her heart—she is strong, has what it takes to fight through her illness, and can overcome anything that challenges her.

Lyla’s wish was granted when she was 12 years old. Now, she’s a 15-year-old honorary Navy SEAL! She and Steve keep in touch have an unbreakable bond—just like the Navy SEALs. 💫

Mark your calendars! 🗓️ Jingle Rock Run presented by Road Builders Corporation returns to Ko Olina Resort on December 15! 🏃🏽‍♀️

Register before July 31 with promo code CHRISTMASINJULY to save $5, receive an exclusive holiday item, and commit to giving keiki with critical illnesses the greatest gift this holiday season: hope. 🎄

Sign up today at jinglerockrun.com ✨

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Wish Granter, we’ve got great news! The next statewide, virtual Wish Granter training session will be held Saturday, July 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 🗓️⁠
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Wish Granters work with a partner to meet with wish kids and their families to help determine their heartfelt wishes, and then work with our staff to make those wishes a reality. Each wish is a uniquely personal decision and represents hope, strength, and joy during an otherwise difficult time for a child facing a critical illness. ⁠
⁠
Registration is limited! If you’re interested in attending, please email Will Phelps at [email protected]

Wish granted! 🌟

Annika’s wish to go to Walt Disney World® came true, thanks to the generous support of folks like you! Annika is an 8-year-old girl from Kahului who battled cancer. When Annika’s wish granters, Becky, Jenny and Keola, revealed her wish would soon be coming true, Annika was surprised and so excited! Her mom, Abegail, says it warmed her heart. 💙

Annika and her ‘ohana had a wonderful time in Disney World! They visited Disney parks, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, watched spectacular fireworks, and cooled off in the pool at Give Kids The World Village. Annika and her ‘ohana created many new, happy memories together.

“The wish meant a lot to us, and we are very grateful,” Abegail says.

To help grant wishes for keiki like Annika, go to hawaii.wish.org/donate. 💫

Welcome to our newest Program intern, Kelsi, and Wish Assist intern, Sarah! ☀️💙💫 We are excited to have you on the team this summer.⁠
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Are you interested in interning with Make-A-Wish Hawaii, too? Our fall applications are open through July 15! We're looking for passionate individuals to contribute to Communications, Development & Corporate Relations, Events, Program Services, and Wish Assist. Gain valuable skills, work with an amazing team, and be part of something truly special. 🌟⁠
⁠
Learn more and apply now: hawaii.wish.org/intern-us

Wish granted! ✨

Cassidy, a 16-year-old girl from Honolulu, courageously fought for her health after receiving a liver transplant. She wished to go to New York City, and keeping her mind on her wish brought her the motivation she needed to take charge of her health to be cleared for travel. At the heart of Cassidy’s wish was her desire to see the Broadway musical “Hadestown.”

Thanks to the generous support of Marilyn and Steve Katzman, Cassidy’s wish came true! Not only did she get to see “Hadestown” on Broadway, but she even got to meet the cast! Cassidy and her ‘ohana also saw “Wicked” on Broadway, visited the Statue of Liberty, and toured the city together. 🗽 Cassidy was invited to the Kendra Scott jewelry boutique in SoHo, where she was gifted with a piece of jewelry as a keepsake of her wish. 💙

After a scary and stressful medical journey, Cassidy and her family made new, joyful memories that they will treasure forever.

Sending a heartfelt mahalo to Watanabe Floral! 💐

The florist held a Star donations campaign in its shops during May, and donated a portion of all sales made the day before Mother’s Day to Make-A-Wish Hawaii. Watanabe Floral’s generous donation of more than $7,500 will help bring the power of a wish to keiki in Hawaii! 🌺💙💫

Happy Father’s Day to all the fantastic dads, grandfathers and father figures across the state! 💙

At Make-A-Wish Hawaii, we see the unwavering dedication and support that fathers consistently provide to their families, especially during challenging times. Your strength is inspiring. 🌟

Mahalo, wish dads, for encouraging us to chase adventure and keep wishing. 💫

Keiki helping keiki ✨

Sending a heartfelt mahalo to the kindergarteners and second graders at Kahala Elementary School for their thoughtful donation to Make-A-Wish Hawaii! These creative young philanthropists made and sold slime to raise money to help children with critical illnesses receive the power of a wish. Mahalo! 💫

If you'd like to learn about hosting a fundraiser to benefit Make-A-Wish Hawaii, visit hawaii.wish.org/fundraise.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Wish Granter, we’ve got great news! The next statewide, virtual Wish Granter training session will be held Saturday, July 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 🗓️

Wish Granters work with a partner to meet with wish kids and their families to help determine their heartfelt wishes, and then work with our staff to make those wishes a reality. Each wish is a uniquely personal decision and represents hope, strength, and joy during an otherwise difficult time for a child facing a critical illness.

Registration is limited! If you’re interested in attending, please email Will Phelps at [email protected].

Liam’s wish to go to Walt Disney World® is coming true, thanks to the generosity of folks like you! 💙

Liam is a 9-year-old boy from Honolulu who is fighting leukemia. He loves Disney World and is a big fan of Harry Potter. Liam has had a tough medical journey, but since his treatment, he’s been more active and energetic. He enjoys playing soccer and video games, especially Mario Kart. He finds joy and strength in his wish to go to the happiest place on Earth: Disney World! Liam’s wish granters, Keith and Talia, surprised Liam at Dave & Buster’s Honolulu with the fantastic news that his wish is coming true! 🌟

To help grant more wishes for keiki like Liam this summer, go to hawaii.wish.org/donate.

On this Wish Wednesday, we’re reminiscing about Reign’s wish reveal! 💫

Four-year-old Reign from Waipahu confronts tough challenges due to a heart condition, requiring strength beyond his years. Video games, especially Mario Kart, help Reign get through treatments and hospital visits. His face lights up every time Princess Peach triumphantly exclaims her famous line, “Oh, did I win?” 👑 Reign’s admiration for the video game character comes from the laughs her expression brings and became the base for his most heartfelt wish to meet Princess Peach at Universal Studios Hollywood.

With Reign’s passion for cars in mind, Wish Granters Marilou and Sophanny planned a wish reveal celebration that would not only touch Reign’s heart, but an entire community. A parade of muscle cars, raised trucks and motorcycles lined up to join the celebration at Ka Makana Alii. 🏎️ Drivers arrived dressed as Mario Kart characters while playing the iconic music from the game. The warmth and care of the automobile community was on full display. Reign’s smile radiated pure joy as he said hello to each of the drivers. His wish reveal party brought a day filled with love and magic that only the power of a wish journey can bring. 💙✨

📸: Alexis and Jay Capinpin

Welcome to our first two summer interns, Kaydie and Alysha! ☀️💙💫 We are thrilled to have you on the team.⁠
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Are you interested in interning with Make-A-Wish Hawaii, too? Our fall applications are now open! We're looking for passionate individuals to contribute to Communications, Development & Corporate Relations, Events, Program Services, and Wish Assist. Gain valuable skills, work with an amazing team, and be part of something truly special. 🌟⁠
⁠
Learn more and apply now: hawaii.wish.org/intern-us

Tiny hands, big hearts! 💙 Keone'ula Elementary School's kindergarteners donated more than $5,000 to Make-A-Wish Hawaii during this morning's end-of-year assembly! The kindergarteners held a fundraiser earlier this year to help bring joy and hope to keiki with critical illnesses. Mahalo to the Keone'ula Elementary School community for their heartfelt generosity! 💫

Meet Terrence, an 18-year-old from Honolulu who battled cancer. An avid soccer fan, Terrence wished to see his favorite soccer team play in Washington, D.C. 💫

Thanks to Domino's Hawaii, Terrence's wish came true. He attended an MLS skills competition, met players, and was gifted a personalized jersey. Terrence and his 'ohana also got to explore the National Mall, monuments, memorials and museums during their trip to the nation's capital. Mahalo, Domino's Hawaii! 💙

Angie's wish is coming true! 💙

Four-year-old Angie celebrated her wish reveal with her ‘ohana and wish granters at the super fun Keiki Kingdom! The team made her day unforgettable with an awesome party room and a special appearance by their mascot, Cakey! 🎉 It was the perfect way for Angie to kick off her wish to go to Walt Disney World® for her birthday.

Mahalo to Keiki Kingdom for hosting magical wish reveal parties like Angie’s. 💫

A heartfelt mahalo from our superhero wish kids to the wish heroes in our community who work together to transform lives, one wish at a time. 💫

Wish granting is in the air 💫

Maui wish kids, their ‘ohana and friends always have a blast at wish reveal parties held at Ultimate Air Trampoline Park Maui. Mahalo, Ultimate Air, for your continued support of Make-A-Wish Hawaii and Maui wish kids! 🎉 💙