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Wish Blog

Oct 23, 2019

Wish Spotlight: Make-A-Wish Hawaii Board Chair Jeff Higashi

Jeff Higashi
As senior vice president at First Hawaiian Bank (FHB) and Chair of the Board of Directors at Make-A-Wish Hawaii, Jeff Higashi is an accomplished leader in our community. Over the past 30 years, he has gone from growing his skills in an entry-level accounting position at FHB to assisting in driving and shaping the company’s retail banking strategy. Given his background, it’s no surprise Jeff cites “analytical” as perhaps his most defining personality trait. Yet as he walks through the wings of the hospital meeting local keiki fighting for their health, Jeff’s other qualities shine through: compassion, humor, and humility.

Oct 23, 2019

Wish Spotlight: Make-A-Wish Hawaii Board Chair Jeff Higashi

Jeff Higashi
As senior vice president at First Hawaiian Bank (FHB) and Chair of the Board of Directors at Make-A-Wish Hawaii, Jeff Higashi is an accomplished leader in our community. Over the past 30 years, he has gone from growing his skills in an entry-level accounting position at FHB to assisting in driving and shaping the company’s retail banking strategy. Given his background, it’s no surprise Jeff cites “analytical” as perhaps his most defining personality trait. Yet as he walks through the wings of the hospital meeting local keiki fighting for their health, Jeff’s other qualities shine through: compassion, humor, and humility.

Sep 24, 2019

Wish Spotlight: Photographer Darcy Fiero puts giving into focus

Darcy Fiero
Darcy Fiero was a stay-at-home mom raising two young daughters, Jackie and Jillie, when she first discovered her love for photography. She began with a film camera and went through three rolls of film each week, meticulously cataloging her daughters’ every milestone. Completely self-taught, Darcy still smiles when she thinks of the times she’d walk out of the Hilo library, two kids in tow and pushing a stroller full of dozens of photography books.

Sep 24, 2019

Wish Spotlight: Photographer Darcy Fiero puts giving into focus

Darcy Fiero
Darcy Fiero was a stay-at-home mom raising two young daughters, Jackie and Jillie, when she first discovered her love for photography. She began with a film camera and went through three rolls of film each week, meticulously cataloging her daughters’ every milestone. Completely self-taught, Darcy still smiles when she thinks of the times she’d walk out of the Hilo library, two kids in tow and pushing a stroller full of dozens of photography books.

Aug 27, 2019

Wish Spotlight: Long-time volunteer, donor, and friend Erle Chan Chue

Erle
After retiring from a successful career in finance and moving to Hawaii, Erle Chan Chue was walking down South King St. one day five years ago when he saw the wish kids pictured in our office windows and was inspired to join our mission.

Aug 27, 2019

Wish Spotlight: Long-time volunteer, donor, and friend Erle Chan Chue

Erle
After retiring from a successful career in finance and moving to Hawaii, Erle Chan Chue was walking down South King St. one day five years ago when he saw the wish kids pictured in our office windows and was inspired to join our mission.

Jun 04, 2019

Zierra receives the royal treatment thanks to Jewelers for Children

Mahalo, Jewelers for Children!

Jun 04, 2019

Zierra receives the royal treatment thanks to Jewelers for Children

Mahalo, Jewelers for Children!

Mar 29, 2019

My Life Now: Former wish kid Diana wishes it forward on Maui

Diana
Since winning her fight with cancer at a young age, 31-year-old Diana Greczkin has dedicated her life to helping and inspiring others. She currently works as a full-time radiation therapist on Maui, granting wishes as a volunteer with Make-A-Wish® Hawaii in her spare time.

Mar 29, 2019

My Life Now: Former wish kid Diana wishes it forward on Maui

Diana
Since winning her fight with cancer at a young age, 31-year-old Diana Greczkin has dedicated her life to helping and inspiring others. She currently works as a full-time radiation therapist on Maui, granting wishes as a volunteer with Make-A-Wish® Hawaii in her spare time.

Feb 12, 2019

From Wish Kid to Wish Granter: My Life Now with Karen Choy

Karen Choy
The first time a wish granter meets his or her wish child, it’s a special moment. It marks the first step in a life-changing journey for a child who’s about to be told he or she can dream about life beyond illness. When Make-A-Wish® Hawaii wish granter Karen Choy meets with a wish child, the moment carries even more weight. Though she never brings it up, as this wish meeting is “all about them,” Karen understands their battle in an entirely different way—as someone who has also lived it. She herself is a former wish kid, and a two-time cancer survivor.

Feb 12, 2019

From Wish Kid to Wish Granter: My Life Now with Karen Choy

Karen Choy
The first time a wish granter meets his or her wish child, it’s a special moment. It marks the first step in a life-changing journey for a child who’s about to be told he or she can dream about life beyond illness. When Make-A-Wish® Hawaii wish granter Karen Choy meets with a wish child, the moment carries even more weight. Though she never brings it up, as this wish meeting is “all about them,” Karen understands their battle in an entirely different way—as someone who has also lived it. She herself is a former wish kid, and a two-time cancer survivor.

Feb 08, 2019

Zeila's Journey

Zeila
As 10-year-old Mililani wish kid Zeila sat on the stage at Macy’s looking out at the crowd of people there to support her, she began to cry. She had just learned her wish to go to Tokyo and visit the Ghibli Museum would soon be coming true. There had been special dance performances, speeches, and even people dressed up as her favorite Ghibli anime characters—all for her.

The wish reveal marked a spark of happiness and hope after a difficult eight months coping with a lupus diagnosis that will affect Zeila for the rest of her life.

Wish mom Jessica shared more about Zeila’s journey and the impact of her upcoming wish.

Feb 08, 2019

Zeila's Journey

Zeila
As 10-year-old Mililani wish kid Zeila sat on the stage at Macy’s looking out at the crowd of people there to support her, she began to cry. She had just learned her wish to go to Tokyo and visit the Ghibli Museum would soon be coming true. There had been special dance performances, speeches, and even people dressed up as her favorite Ghibli anime characters—all for her.

The wish reveal marked a spark of happiness and hope after a difficult eight months coping with a lupus diagnosis that will affect Zeila for the rest of her life.

Wish mom Jessica shared more about Zeila’s journey and the impact of her upcoming wish.

Nov 26, 2018

My Life Now: Bradley Akamu

brad
Volunteer Coordinator at Hawaii Meals on Wheels, dog owner, outdoor enthusiast, amateur photographer—31-year-old Bradley Akamu wears many hats. He’s also a childhood leukemia survivor, and a former wish kid; Make-A-Wish Hawaii granted his wish to have a saxophone nearly 20 years ago, a wish that he still reflects on as a turning point in his journey.

Nov 26, 2018

My Life Now: Bradley Akamu

brad
Volunteer Coordinator at Hawaii Meals on Wheels, dog owner, outdoor enthusiast, amateur photographer—31-year-old Bradley Akamu wears many hats. He’s also a childhood leukemia survivor, and a former wish kid; Make-A-Wish Hawaii granted his wish to have a saxophone nearly 20 years ago, a wish that he still reflects on as a turning point in his journey.

Oct 19, 2018

Intern Spotlight- Ryan Hirokane

Ryan and his fellow summer 2018 interns at Wine for Wishes
At Make-A-Wish Hawaii, we have the privilege of working with the next generation of nonprofit leaders: our interns. They come to us with diverse backgrounds, skills, and areas of interest, but they all share a passion for our mission and leave a lasting impact on our wish kids, volunteers, and staff. One intern who has gone above and beyond in this respect is Ryan Hirokane.

Oct 19, 2018

Intern Spotlight- Ryan Hirokane

Ryan and his fellow summer 2018 interns at Wine for Wishes
At Make-A-Wish Hawaii, we have the privilege of working with the next generation of nonprofit leaders: our interns. They come to us with diverse backgrounds, skills, and areas of interest, but they all share a passion for our mission and leave a lasting impact on our wish kids, volunteers, and staff. One intern who has gone above and beyond in this respect is Ryan Hirokane.

Oct 18, 2018

Wish mom Crystal on the role of a wish

Xzylie
Waipahu wish kid Xzylie is a sweet, stylish 4-year-old who has endured more than any child should. Her battle with leukemia has resulted in numerous complications and lengthy hospital stays, but her resilient nature has carried her and her mother Crystal through even the most difficult times. Xzylie’s wish to meet the princesses at Walt Disney World® has also helped Xzylie and Crystal stay positive throughout it all. Crystal shared what their journey has been like so far.

Oct 18, 2018

Wish mom Crystal on the role of a wish

Xzylie
Waipahu wish kid Xzylie is a sweet, stylish 4-year-old who has endured more than any child should. Her battle with leukemia has resulted in numerous complications and lengthy hospital stays, but her resilient nature has carried her and her mother Crystal through even the most difficult times. Xzylie’s wish to meet the princesses at Walt Disney World® has also helped Xzylie and Crystal stay positive throughout it all. Crystal shared what their journey has been like so far.

About this Blog

Wish Blog gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the wonderful work happening at Make-A-Wish® Hawaii. See how the wishes of local keiki battling critical illnesses come together and how they change lives forever. Hear directly from those who work or volunteer here, or from those in your neighborhood who have been transformed by a wish in some way. Discover why we are so committed to achieving our vision of granting the wish of every eligible child, every year.

We want to hear from you.

We moderate our communities by only one rule: Be nice. We welcome different views - just keep it courteous and considerate. Mahalo for connecting.

Please submit your blog ideas for consideration to Alison Mehrman at nzruezna@unjnvv.jvfu.bet.

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My Life Now

Follow our new My Life Now series to grasp the long-term impact of a wish. When you support local wish kids, your gift lasts much more than just that one day or week. Here, we will share with you the stories of our inspiring Wish Alumni, from checking in one year later to celebrate milestones of returning to normalcy, to checking in decades later to celebrate larger milestones of overcoming.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

We are in need of volunteers on all islands! Sign up to become a wish granting volunteer today!

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Make-A-Wish® Hawaii
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(808) 537-3118 x100

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