I wish to be a traveling artist
Skylaa, 9, Wailuku
kidney disease
Nine-year-old Skylaa had her wish to be a traveling artist come alive with the help of her Maui community and Make-A-Wish Hawaii on Saturday, June 26, 2021. Her loving grandparents Emeli and Nelson, local partners, volunteer Wish Granters Crystal and Shan, and many others collaborated with our team to grant the wish of this extraordinary girl.
The goal: to encourage this young artist’s dreams.
Skylaa’s wish began with a Walking Town Mural tour guided by Kelly McHugh-White. She's the manager of Small Town*Big Art, a project designed to position Wailuku, Maui, as a public arts district focused on its distinctive sense of place, history, and culture.
Skylaa’s walking tour concluded at a mural currently being crafted by professional Maui artist Amanda Joy Bowers of Skelefin Studios. A freelance fine artist born and raised in Haiku on Maui, Bowers spent an hour working with Skylaa on a mural, sharing tips, techniques, and extensive knowledge with the young artist.
Following the mural tour and art lessons, Skylaa and her family returned home, where her ultimate wish was granted. Her original art pieces were carefully displayed in her bedroom, where a treasure trove of art supplies, gifts, and inspiration to continue practicing her craft awaited her. Skylaa’s grandparents and her brother looked on as she unwrapped each present. Skylaa received gift certificates to take online art lessons, an iPad and iPad pen, luggage designed for art supplies, canvases in various sizes, and painting supplies. The family then shared a takeout lunch from Skylaa’s favorite restaurant.
A special part of Skylaa’s wish was shared by a Wailuku teen who recently had her wish granted. Also a young local artist whose medium is digital imaging, Pua had her wish for professional photography and videography equipment granted in October 2020. Wanting to share in Skylaa’s wish experience, Pua agreed to capture Skylaa’s wish as a way to “wish it forward.”
“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 — but it was her volunteer Wish Granters, Shantell “Shan” Hilo and Crystal Sakai, who were there from the beginning of her journey with Make-A-Wish,” shared Make-A-Wish Hawaii Director of Mission Delivery Kari Bogner.
“Volunteer wish granters Shan and Crystal helped Skylaa discover her most meaningful and inspiring wish, and even rallied the Maui community to make her wish experience so incredible!” said Bogner. “We rely on extraordinary volunteers like Crystal and Shan to help us carry out this special mission of encouraging our keiki, and we are so grateful for all that they do!”
Skylaa lives in Kahului, Maui, and frequently travels to Honolulu for treatment for kidney disease, a trip she’s been making for three years. While she lives in a busy household with her grandparents, brother, and cousins, her (soon to be) adoptive aunt will return shortly from deployment in Afghanistan with plans to move to Colorado. Skylaa is excited to be able to take her creative process and considerable talents on the road.
When Skylaa’s volunteer wish granters met her for the first time over Zoom, they quickly learned that Skylaa has an extraordinary passion for art. On the call, she shared several of her artistic creations with the team. She also demonstrated that she is incredibly talented in several types of creative mediums. She’s able to create art out of just about anything.
Skylaa has been cultivating her artistic skills since she was old enough to hold a crayon. Her heartfelt wish was to have art supplies that can travel with her to her new home, making Skylaa her family’s first traveling artist — while honoring the traditions of her island home by sharing her artistic talents with the world.
Make-A-Wish Hawaii would like to thank Hawaiian Electric for their support in granting this wish, Announce It Maui for donating the yard signs; Blissful Bites by Mel for Skylaa’s cake; Maui artist Amanda Joy Bowers of Skelefin Studios for her time and expertise; and Small Town*Big Art for providing Skylaa with an incredible Wish Day.
