Make-A-Wish^® Hawaii

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When Make-A-Wish Hawaii first applied for a grant through H.T. Hayashi Foundation last year, both parties immediately recognized our shared values: love, compassion, and a desire to change lives. From granting 4-year-old Skylar’s wish to have a new bedroom and connecting with his ‘ohana at the wish reveal to granting two wishes instead of one in its subsequent year of support, H.T. Hayashi Foundation has gone beyond the generous funding that makes wishes possible, infusing a personal touch that also shows our wish families just how much they care.

We spoke with H.T. Hayashi Foundation to learn more about what drives this heartfelt support.

Why did H.T. Hayashi Foundation decide to partner with Make-A-Wish Hawaii?

The board’s decision to award a grant was based on the belief that what Make-A-Wish Hawaii does creates awareness about the power of love and compassion to lift spirits, inspire, and create a generation of adults who live life differently than without those values.

What spoke to H.T. Hayashi Foundation about Skylar’s wish to have a new bedroom in particular?

The board saw Skylar’s wish not as a request for a new bedroom. They saw the wish as wishing for a safe, healthy, and joyful environment in which Skylar could find comfort, his mom would find some moments that put her mind at ease and lifted some of the weight off her shoulders, and his brother could have a space to spend time with Skylar safely.

How did it feel to witness Skylar’s wish come true and know that H.T. Hayashi Foundation made it possible?

Human kindness is best witnessed firsthand, and being blessed with the opportunity to be there in person when Skylar and his family saw the room for the first time was a joy. Skylar’s needs are significant, and through it all, his mother’s love has never wavered. As a single mother, she has been impacted by the challenging economic times caused by the pandemic; yet everything she does is focused on Skylar and his brother and helping them to live their best lives. She sacrifices without question and loves without limits. Yes, Skylar has a safe space now. But perhaps more critical is for him, his brother, and his mom to know that they do not have to face their struggles alone and that kindness and compassion can come from so many, even total strangers.

Why is it important to H.T. Hayashi Foundation to make wishes come true, and how do you envision this partnership in the future?

When the board awarded the initial grant to Make-A-Wish Hawaii, they committed to a three-year grant cycle, with the intent to grant one wish each year. They made this commitment because they appreciated the sense of compassion, dedication to the work, and ethics/integrity of everyone on the MAWH team they had the fortune to interact with. We make commitments to multi-year support when we feel it is a fit with our mission, and when the staff involved in the work operate with values that align with the foundation’s values, the organization has a solid board of directors who helps support the team in whatever way is needed, and the organization can demonstrate stability (financial, compliance, staffing) in the future.

This year was year two of the commitment, and the board decided to grant two wishes instead of just one. When presented with wishes to choose from this year, they were all compelling.  Each wish represented the different ways our youth think about life, the things that bring them joy, and what inspires them. The two wishes the board granted this year were very different.  One was about creating the opportunity for a youth on Oahu to return home to a safe environment after a lengthy hospital stay due to a severe illness. The other was about pursuing creativity, artistry, and joy amidst limited social interactions due to the pandemic for a young girl on Kauai with a high-risk condition.

We look forward to year three in 2023!

More broadly, why is it important to the Foundation to make a difference within the local community?

Herbert Takami Hayashi, our benefactor, did not grow up in privilege. He worked very hard in life to earn his wealth. He was observant, had heightened attention to detail, and helped raise his children with the belief that one of the most important things you can do in life is developing your sense of self and your values. Then, live your life as consistent with those values as possible, and be accountable for those moments when you don’t. He understood that he had opportunities that many didn’t. He consistently sought ways to provide those opportunities to others. He also developed a sense of caring for the land and leaving a place better than how you first encountered it. His wealth came from opportunities in Hawaii. Therefore, the Foundation has a responsibility to help the Hawaii community first. Also, he was practical: because Hawaii is so isolated, he believed we must help ourselves first because we can respond quicker and understand our community’s needs better.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your support?

We appreciate the opportunity to work with an organization whose team is compassionate, kind, and capable. We have enjoyed the relationship since its inception. We hope that as Make-A-Wish Hawaii’s stories continue to be shared, those who see them are inspired to seek ways to live aloha in their own lives.