I wish to go to Hawaii!
Caiya
11
Congenital heart disease
Caiya's Hawaii Wish
Ten-year-old Caiya is full of creativity and curiosity. She loves art (especially drawing and pottery) and goes rock climbing whenever she gets the chance. Animals are a big part of her life too—her playful puppy Remi, her cat Sugar, and even baby chicks that her family raises. She lights up when she talks about the things she enjoys most.
But behind her bright smile and busy imagination, Caiya carries challenges most kids never have to think about.
A Broken Heart
Caiya was born with hypoplastic right heart syndrome, a rare and serious condition diagnosed before she even entered the world. Since then, she has endured multiple open-heart surgeries and procedures to help her “broken heart” do its work.
Her mom often says that Caiya’s condition has shaped more than just her body—it’s shaped their family’s journey of faith, hope, and resilience. Running with friends, joining sports, or keeping up with siblings isn’t always possible. She gets tired more quickly, and endurance is a constant challenge. Though she faces it all with grace, her world is shaped by limits that many kids never have to think about.
That’s why her wish mattered so deeply. It wasn’t just a trip; it was something designed completely around her needs and her joy.
Caiya’s Island Adventure
When it came time to make her wish, Caiya was inspired by her best friend’s stories and her love of Lilo & Stitch. So she chose something big, bold, and beautiful: a trip to Maui.
From the moment the family arrived, the island welcomed them with wonder. Their resort balcony looked out over the ocean, the pool glowing below and the sky painted with color. For Caiya’s mom, Reaah, it felt like the air itself was a gift. “I just breathed in the peace and relaxation…it was amazing.”
The days unfolded like a storybook. Caiya got the chance to slip beneath the waves on a snuba adventure and soared over majestic waterfalls on a helicopter. When it came time to zipline, Caiya’s bold spirit showed. She claimed the front spot again and again, teasing her siblings that being the wish kid meant she got to go first.
The trip was filled with little moments of kindness, too. A pilot invited Caiya into the cockpit, gifting her a real set of wings. At a luau, a staff member who had also faced open-heart surgery brought her a plumeria flower clip as a reminder of her Hawaii adventure.
Each day brought something new—adventures that were big, beautiful, and unforgettable, but always with space for Caiya to enjoy them at her own pace.
