I wish to have my own videography equipment
Pua, 15, Wailuku
cancer
Pua’s videography wish is “life-changing and life-energizing experience”
As 15-year-old Puanani arrived at The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, Ka’anapali for a socially distant wish reveal with her ‘ohana, she didn’t quite know what to expect. Her volunteer wish granters, Nikki and Jen, whom she’d only seen through Zoom calls and FaceTime dates over the past few months, were waiting for her holding blue wish signs alongside Westin Nanea staff. And after a warm welcome, Pua was led to an ocean-front room where she says her wish to have her own videography equipment truly came to life—and then some.
In the months leading up to her wish, Pua had pinned ideas of things she liked—everything from food and decorations to colors and fabrics—to a Pinterest Board shared with Nikki and Jen so they could get to know her better.
“When I opened the door my Pinterest board came to life. I was definitely shocked; everything was perfect,” says Pua.
Beyond the wish reveal details and decorations, the equipment Pua had wished for exceeded her expectations also. The Wailuku teen had first fallen in love with videography in middle school after taking a digital media class. And in the midst of her recent battle with a rare type of cancer that required trips to Oahu for chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, Pua’s creativity was one outlet that kept her looking toward the future.
Pua had only asked for a camera for her wish, but thanks to a generous gift from local donors Steven and Karen Sato, Make-A-Wish Hawaii purchased all the additional equipment needed to truly help her tap into her love for video production. Due to COVID-19, Make-A-Wish Hawaii staff from Oahu were unable to attend the wish reveal, so Jen and Nikki wrapped and readied each piece for Pua, who excitedly spent the day testing out her new equipment on the grounds of the hotel.
“They got me everything I didn’t realize I needed,” said Pua. “I definitely think this helped me find my passion. Before I didn’t really have any of the right equipment to pursue cinematography and video production. However, that has all changed now.”
Upon receiving her equipment, Pua “lit up with the possibilities,” says Ellen. “She was ready to dive into film, to edit, to fly the drone and to create content all at once. The wonder and excitement was and is great when she gets into creating content. She is able to push through her nausea because she wants to finish her edits and audio. This is a life-changing and life-energizing experience.”
“They got me everything I didn’t realize I needed,” said Pua. “I definitely think this helped me find my passion. Before I didn’t really have any of the right equipment to pursue cinematography and video production. However, that has all changed now.”
Upon receiving her equipment, Pua “lit up with the possibilities,” says Ellen. “She was ready to dive into film, to edit, to fly the drone and to create content all at once. The wonder and excitement was and is great when she gets into creating content. She is able to push through her nausea because she wants to finish her edits and audio. This is a life-changing and life-energizing experience.”
Since the wish granting, Pua has already been hard at work creating content, including a short video for her school to use for a fundraiser in Pua’s honor.
According to Ellen and wish dad Dale, the experience made the entire family feel lighter after the intensity and worry of Pua’s medical journey.
Says Ellen, "The wish and wish day gave her joy and drive. Her brain is always in this place of trying to capture a story and put it in a video and add her own style. It will be an amazing foundation to leap off into big things."
