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Wish Blog

Jun 24, 2020

A Shared Passion for Changing Lives: Peter and James Mateo

Peter and James Mateo
Over the years, we have gotten to know so many kind, compassionate people in our community who come together to make wishes possible. Those who consistently go above and beyond for our wish kids truly become celebrities in our office; theirs are the standout names we hear often—the names that we excitedly announce in the hallways (or now, over Zoom) have agreed to assist with another event, or have made another sizable donation, or have become involved in yet another new way. Peter and James Mateo are two of those names, two Hawaii wish celebrities working together to make a difference in the lives of local keiki.

Jun 24, 2020

A Shared Passion for Changing Lives: Peter and James Mateo

Peter and James Mateo
Over the years, we have gotten to know so many kind, compassionate people in our community who come together to make wishes possible. Those who consistently go above and beyond for our wish kids truly become celebrities in our office; theirs are the standout names we hear often—the names that we excitedly announce in the hallways (or now, over Zoom) have agreed to assist with another event, or have made another sizable donation, or have become involved in yet another new way. Peter and James Mateo are two of those names, two Hawaii wish celebrities working together to make a difference in the lives of local keiki.

Jun 22, 2020

Volunteer Spotlight: Michele Garcia

Michele
Michele Garcia was inspired to make a difference after her niece Precious received a wish seven years ago. Now, with her entire family and work ‘ohana engaged in the power of a wish, Michele is one of our most dedicated volunteers and supporters.

Jun 22, 2020

Volunteer Spotlight: Michele Garcia

Michele
Michele Garcia was inspired to make a difference after her niece Precious received a wish seven years ago. Now, with her entire family and work ‘ohana engaged in the power of a wish, Michele is one of our most dedicated volunteers and supporters.

Jun 01, 2020

A Letter from Wish Mom and Volunteer Erin

Harper
As a Disney Cast Member in college, I saw many Make-A-Wish families having the time of their lives. I always admired Make-A-Wish for what they do to help families of seriously ill children. I had no idea that I would soon find out just how special a Wish can truly be. In 2017, when my daughter Harper was 7 years old, she began having pain in her legs and just wasn't acting like herself. After many trips to the doctor, she was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of pediatric cancer. Not long after her diagnosis, the child life specialist at our hospital asked if we had thought about contacting Make-A-Wish.

Jun 01, 2020

A Letter from Wish Mom and Volunteer Erin

Harper
As a Disney Cast Member in college, I saw many Make-A-Wish families having the time of their lives. I always admired Make-A-Wish for what they do to help families of seriously ill children. I had no idea that I would soon find out just how special a Wish can truly be. In 2017, when my daughter Harper was 7 years old, she began having pain in her legs and just wasn't acting like herself. After many trips to the doctor, she was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of pediatric cancer. Not long after her diagnosis, the child life specialist at our hospital asked if we had thought about contacting Make-A-Wish.

May 20, 2020

Planned Giving: A Q&A with attorney Geoff Sogi

Geoff Sogi
Planning for the future is an essential but oftentimes stressful, confusing endeavor. We asked Geoff Sogi, an attorney specializing in estate planning and long-term care planning at Honolulu law firm Tamashiro Sogi, to answer some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding estate planning and planned giving. Geoff serves on our Young Leaders Board and is a volunteer Wish Ambassador with a heart for the Make-A-Wish mission. Since joining the board last fall, he has been dedicated to leveraging his professional expertise toward making a difference in the lives of wish families and our community. Below, Geoff tells us about what drew him to Make-A-Wish Hawaii and how he hopes his expertise can help wish families and community supporters make purposeful decisions for the future.

May 20, 2020

Planned Giving: A Q&A with attorney Geoff Sogi

Geoff Sogi
Planning for the future is an essential but oftentimes stressful, confusing endeavor. We asked Geoff Sogi, an attorney specializing in estate planning and long-term care planning at Honolulu law firm Tamashiro Sogi, to answer some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding estate planning and planned giving. Geoff serves on our Young Leaders Board and is a volunteer Wish Ambassador with a heart for the Make-A-Wish mission. Since joining the board last fall, he has been dedicated to leveraging his professional expertise toward making a difference in the lives of wish families and our community. Below, Geoff tells us about what drew him to Make-A-Wish Hawaii and how he hopes his expertise can help wish families and community supporters make purposeful decisions for the future.

Apr 08, 2020

A Message from Kauai Volunteer Leigh Feutz

Leigh Feutz
Join me in making a difference for our local keiki. Make a gift in honor of National Volunteer Month today!

Apr 08, 2020

A Message from Kauai Volunteer Leigh Feutz

Leigh Feutz
Join me in making a difference for our local keiki. Make a gift in honor of National Volunteer Month today!

Mar 23, 2020

Vendor Spotlight: Platinum Transportation Service

Platinum Transportation Service
For the past 26 years, Platinum Transportation Service has been steadily growing—from one limo and one driver to more than 60 of each. As the company has grown, so have its accolades and presence as the largest luxury transportation service on Oahu. And so has the celebrated Wall of Fame at its headquarters. On one side of the wall are signed head shots and personal notes from an impressive array of celebrities that have visited Oahu and ridden in the company’s vehicles. On the other, however, are the true celebrities, says founder Kurt Tsuneyoshi—hundreds of photos, mahalo letters, and notes accumulated from over 15 years of driving local wish children and families with critical illnesses to and from their wishes. Smiling faces of wish kids with Mickey Mouse, blue Make-A-Wish stars and logos, personal letters, and wish stories flood the warehouse wall, never ceasing to inspire and remind the team at Platinum Transportation of the magic that’s created when a wish comes true.

Mar 23, 2020

Vendor Spotlight: Platinum Transportation Service

Platinum Transportation Service
For the past 26 years, Platinum Transportation Service has been steadily growing—from one limo and one driver to more than 60 of each. As the company has grown, so have its accolades and presence as the largest luxury transportation service on Oahu. And so has the celebrated Wall of Fame at its headquarters. On one side of the wall are signed head shots and personal notes from an impressive array of celebrities that have visited Oahu and ridden in the company’s vehicles. On the other, however, are the true celebrities, says founder Kurt Tsuneyoshi—hundreds of photos, mahalo letters, and notes accumulated from over 15 years of driving local wish children and families with critical illnesses to and from their wishes. Smiling faces of wish kids with Mickey Mouse, blue Make-A-Wish stars and logos, personal letters, and wish stories flood the warehouse wall, never ceasing to inspire and remind the team at Platinum Transportation of the magic that’s created when a wish comes true.

Mar 10, 2020

Wish Spotlight: Wish mom Melissa wishes it forward

Melissa
Kapolei wish mom-turned-volunteer Melissa has wished it forward in countless ways over the past six years. She’s raised thousands of dollars to make wishes come true through marathons and hiking challenges, made generous donations to our gala auction, volunteered at fundraising events like Swing for Wishes and Waffles for Wishes, shared her story in interviews, waved signs out front of our office, answered phones for our Give Wishes Wings radiothon and telethon, worked directly with wish families as a wish granter, and so much more. Melissa’s selfless dedication to the Make-A-Wish® Hawaii mission inspires us every day—as does the incredible fortitude she and her family have shown during their son Kayle’s lifelong battle with a critical genetic condition.

Mar 10, 2020

Wish Spotlight: Wish mom Melissa wishes it forward

Melissa
Kapolei wish mom-turned-volunteer Melissa has wished it forward in countless ways over the past six years. She’s raised thousands of dollars to make wishes come true through marathons and hiking challenges, made generous donations to our gala auction, volunteered at fundraising events like Swing for Wishes and Waffles for Wishes, shared her story in interviews, waved signs out front of our office, answered phones for our Give Wishes Wings radiothon and telethon, worked directly with wish families as a wish granter, and so much more. Melissa’s selfless dedication to the Make-A-Wish® Hawaii mission inspires us every day—as does the incredible fortitude she and her family have shown during their son Kayle’s lifelong battle with a critical genetic condition.

Feb 19, 2020

Leave a legacy of wishes

Mattsons
Alan and Marilee Mattson have supported our mission through ongoing donations, event sponsorships, and volunteer work since 2005. With a goal of funding at least one wish per year, the Mattsons also recently expanded their support by making additional gift commitments from their will and trust.

Feb 19, 2020

Leave a legacy of wishes

Mattsons
Alan and Marilee Mattson have supported our mission through ongoing donations, event sponsorships, and volunteer work since 2005. With a goal of funding at least one wish per year, the Mattsons also recently expanded their support by making additional gift commitments from their will and trust.

Jan 24, 2020

Referral Spotlight: Social Worker Mary Mullis

Mary Mullis
When pediatric oncology social worker Mary Mullis first sits across from a newly diagnosed child and their family, she knows they’re in crisis. They’re in the midst of adjusting to a frightening new normal—of giving up control, beginning treatment, and processing a lot of emotional change. By directing them to everything from practical and financial assistance to academic and emotional support, Mary’s job is to arm them with the resources that can alleviate some of their burden. But, without fail, the resource that most often moves families to tears is a referral to Make-A-Wish® Hawaii.

Jan 24, 2020

Referral Spotlight: Social Worker Mary Mullis

Mary Mullis
When pediatric oncology social worker Mary Mullis first sits across from a newly diagnosed child and their family, she knows they’re in crisis. They’re in the midst of adjusting to a frightening new normal—of giving up control, beginning treatment, and processing a lot of emotional change. By directing them to everything from practical and financial assistance to academic and emotional support, Mary’s job is to arm them with the resources that can alleviate some of their burden. But, without fail, the resource that most often moves families to tears is a referral to Make-A-Wish® Hawaii.

Jan 20, 2020

Alaska Airlines welcomes Taz and his 'ohana for a special sendoff

Taz
A longstanding partner of ours, Alaska Airlines continually goes above and beyond to make wishes possible for both local and visiting keiki. This holiday season, our partners at Alaska not only flew wish kid Taz and his ‘ohana to Orlando for a Walt Disney World wish come true, but they also helped us surprise Taz at the airport for a special sendoff!

Jan 20, 2020

Alaska Airlines welcomes Taz and his 'ohana for a special sendoff

Taz
A longstanding partner of ours, Alaska Airlines continually goes above and beyond to make wishes possible for both local and visiting keiki. This holiday season, our partners at Alaska not only flew wish kid Taz and his ‘ohana to Orlando for a Walt Disney World wish come true, but they also helped us surprise Taz at the airport for a special sendoff!

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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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
P.O. Box 1877
Honolulu, HI 96805
(808) 537-3118 x100

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Make-A-Wish Foundation of Hawaii is a Hawaii nonprofit corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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