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HOME | YEAR IN REVIEW | MAHALO
Spotlights | 2021 Gala Honorees | Volunteers
Medical Partners | FY21 Donor List
Corporate Partner of the Year:
Nan, Inc.
A valued wish partner, Honolulu-based construction management company Nan, Inc. believes it is equally important that the company not only create lasting structures, but also a lasting sense of aloha in our local community. More than two dozen wishes have been granted thanks to their generous support over the past seven years. Most recently, the company adopted 7-year-old Anela’s wish to have a Frozen-themed princess picnic and 10-year-old Cheyleia’s wish to have a princess bedroom, providing these keiki and their ‘ohana much-needed hope and strength. We are grateful for Nan, Inc.’s belief in the life-changing impact of a wish.
Medical Partner of the Year
Dr. Greg Yim
One of Hawaii’s top pediatric neurologists, Dr. Greg Yim has been a faithful partner of Make-A-Wish Hawaii since 2003, referring dozens of patients for wishes and impacting many more. Dr. Yim advocates for wishes not only for his own patients, but for other eligible children as well by providing tools and outreach to his physician peers. He is a firm believer in the positive impact a wish can have on a child, and his enthusiasm has inspired him to lead as a board member, medical expert, and liaison between our Board of Directors and Medical Advisory Board of physicians. Mahalo, Dr. Yim!
Philanthropist of the Year:
Jade Richardson
Through both personal and corporate contributions, Jade exemplifies a donor with a true commitment to our mission and the children we serve. Jade’s generosity stems from her firsthand experience with Make-A-Wish Hawaii over 20 years ago when her daughter Maddy’s wish to see Mulan at Walt Disney World was granted. Jade knew she wanted to help other families experience the hope and joy that comes with a wish. We are so grateful for all Jade and her ‘ohana have done to Wish It Forward, and we are pleased to honor the far-reaching impact of her longstanding, dedicated support.
Wish Family of the Year:
Wish Kid Zeila and ‘Ohana
When 12-year-old Mililani wish kid Zeila’s wish to go to Tokyo came true two years ago, it was a “silver lining” and a symbol of hope after her lupus diagnosis. Throughout Zeila’s wish journey and well after, she and her family have been eager to Wish it Forward and help make more wishes come true. Always willing to lend a hand and voice, they have spoken at events, participated in fundraising campaigns, and helped us thank donors in myriad ways. We are so inspired by families like Zeila’s who give back and spread hope after experiencing a wish come true.
Volunteer of the Year:
James and Peter Mateo
As “lifelong believers in the power of a wish,” volunteers and partners James and Peter Mateo consistently go above and beyond to support our mission. The two have volunteered at numerous annual fundraising events over the years, and play a vital role on our gala auction committee. In addition to regularly supporting through events and personal fundraisers, Peter and James recently completed wish granter training and are now working with children and families directly to identify their most heartfelt wishes and bring them to life. Mahalo, Peter and James!
Magic Maker of the Year:
Dave & Buster’s
Always warm and welcoming, the Dave & Buster’s Hawaii team has hosted countless local wish families and volunteers for wish reveal parties and other events for more than a decade. Always willing to lend a hand, they stepped up for our mission in big ways this year, from staffing events and sponsoring fundraisers to catering special wish parties. General Manager at Dave & Buster’s Hawaii and Make-A-Wish Hawaii Board Member Andrew Shimabukuro continually rallies his team behind the life-changing power of a wish when it’s needed most. Mahalo, Dave & Buster’s, for truly being our Magic Makers of the Year!
Mahalo to our Volunteers!
Our volunteers’ commitment to bringing wishes to life persisted despite unique obstacles presented by the pandemic. Maui wish granting team Nikki Wong and Jen McNeff, for example, become the first neighbor island volunteers to grant a wish without the on-site support of our staff, who were unable to travel from Oahu. Just as Nikki and Jen found creative ways to keep granting wishes, so did ‘office angels’ like Margaret, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our mission moving forward.
Click below to read more about how volunteers like Nikki, Jen, and Margaret made an incredible difference this year. Mahalo, volunteers!
Mahalo to our Healthcare Heroes!
When a child is diagnosed with a critical illness, our local healthcare providers—our heroes—step in with compassion, care and a plan. When a healthcare provider refers an eligible child to Make-A-Wish Hawaii, it provides hope and joy for a brighter tomorrow, helping a child find strength to fight the battle he or she is facing. Mahalo to our medical community for keeping wishes in a child’s treatment plan and understanding the transformative power of a wish.
Thanks to the dedication and support of medical social worker Kathleen Hanai-Lee, 50 local children have experienced a wish as part of their treatment plan. Click to read more about Kathy’s commitment to Make-A-Wish Hawaii and changing the lives of pediatric patients at Ka’iolani Medical Center for Women and Children and Tripler Army Medical Center over the last two decades.
The following list represent gifts made between September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021. Should there be an error or if you'd like to modify your listing, please contact Madalyn Kenney at [email protected] or 808.537.3118 ext. 108. Mahalo for your support!
Corporate and Foundation
Wish Visionary
|
Aloha United Way |
Wish Granter
|
Bank of Hawaii |
Hawaii Community Foundation |
Wish Champion
|
Acrisure, LLC |
JD Painting & Decoration, Inc. |
Wish Partner
|
Ace Hardware Hawaii, Inc. |
InSight Imaging LLC |
Wish Friend
|
Alamo Rent A Car |
Grace Pacific Corporation |
Individual
Wish Visionary
|
Debi and Nicolas Au on behalf of the Payne Family Foundation Trust |
Wish Granter
|
Scott & Rachel Bradley |
Alvin & Cara Murray |
* Deceased
Wish Champion
|
Jennifer Coutts |
Letitia Perri |
|
Wish Partner
|
Anonymous Donors |
Fariz & Nathalie Kimaz |
Dr. Robert & |
Wish Friend
|
Dr. Keith & Lori Abe |
Christopher & Kelly |
Scott & Malia Paul |
In-Kind
|
[KI . ELE] Hawaii |
Kualoa Ranch Hawai’i, Inc. |
|
In Tribute
|
Cy & Carol Yanagisawa - in honor of Chloe Yanagisawa |
Wheels for Wishes
|
AA Electric LTD |
Gilbert Hamasaki |
James Oda |