Make-A-Wish Hawaii Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report

Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report

I wish to have a backyard playground!

Aiden, 6, Honolulu genetic condition

Aloha Wish ‘Ohana,

We all dream of exploring far-away destinations, and for some of our wish kids, that may even be at the heart of a wish come true. But we also know there’s no place quite like home—especially here in Hawai‘i, surrounded by the beauty of the ‘āina and the aloha of our close-knit, caring community. This year, as the pandemic persisted, we paused to appreciate all that makes Hawai’i such an incredible place to live. And, thanks to you, we discovered new ways to bring magic to life across the islands as we continued granting transformational wishes, right here at home.

In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the meaning of home altogether. Spare rooms became remote workspaces, living rooms became virtual classrooms, and driveways became socially distanced meeting spots. Just as we reimagined our homes, so too did our wish kids, who began looking to their own bedrooms, backyards, and island communities for wishes that would bring them the hope and strength they needed to keep fighting.

For so many of our local wish keiki, these at-home wishes will continue to make a difference each and every day. Backyards were turned into custom playgrounds where kids like Aiden and his sister will be able to play safely together for years to come. Bedroom makeovers created comfortable spaces where keiki like Skylar and his ‘ohana can find respite from the difficult days of their medical journeys. Hawai‘i adventure weeks and staycations provided children like Eliza and her family the opportunity to make memories that will last a lifetime. The list goes on.

In fact, dozens of impactful local wishes like these delivered hope and sparked joy for keiki fighting critical illnesses this year, and none of them would have been possible without you. Your generosity and continued support showed our Hawai‘i wish kids that there is magic here at home, deeply woven into a community that is fighting alongside them for brighter days ahead. We are pleased to highlight just a few of the many examples of such magic brought to life across the islands in our Fiscal Year 2021 annual report.

Mahalo nui loa for showing wish keiki and their families that Hawai‘i is not just a beautiful place to live—it’s a place where we all come together to create hope, joy, and new beginnings. It’s a place worthy of being called home, sweet home.

Much Aloha and Best Wishes,

Trini Kaopuiki Clark Jeff Higashi President and CEO Board Chair

year in REVIEW

I wish to go to Walt Disney World®! Serena, 5, Honolulu cancer

2021 events

Imagination is key to our mission. It is present from the very first moment a child is asked to dream about a wish come true, and it persists long after a wish is granted—into the newfound strength to envision life beyond illness and brighter days ahead. While adapting to the new normal presented by the pandemic, we too harnessed the power of imagination to fulfill our mission in partnership with valued supporters like you. Together, we found our stride and discovered creative new ways to continue raising essential funds and granting life-changing wishes for keiki across the state with critical illnesses.

Mahalo for the support of our corporate partners, who help make wishes come true by generously investing in our mission. We couldn’t grant wishes without you!

Thanks to our generous sponsors and golfers, October’s 14th Annual Swing for Wishes at Hawaii Prince Golf Club was a huge success! Although we were physically distanced, it was a wonderful day on the green that raised over $70,000 to deliver strength and hope to our wish children and their families. Special mahalo to Make-A-Wish Hawaii Board Chair Jeff Higashi and wish dad Travis Kikuchi for co-chairing this year’s event and to all of our sponsors.

In the spirit of imagination, we created safe ways to connect, such as our reimagined holiday fundraiser, Jingle Rock Ride. While the event itself was reimagined, its purpose remained the same: to show support for local keiki with critical illnesses and raise essential funds to grant their wishes.

Our second virtual talent show was a huge success! We received more than 30 videos for our Stars at Home show in April 2021. Submissions included everything from singing and dancing to surfing and snowboarding. Our community was invited to support their favorite performances with a $5 donation—a virtual highfive that collectively raised more than $27,000 for local wish kids.

Each year, we come together for our WISH! Gala in honor of local keiki, and each year we are incredibly humbled by the generosity and support of our community. On May 15, 2021, supporters statewide tuned in to Hawaii News Now’s K5, placed bids on our silent auction, and made gifts, helping us raise more than $470,000 to help deliver hope and change lives here in Hawaii.

grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Dr. Wynn Okuda

Rick Fried

H.T. Hayashi Foundation

Nan, Inc.

Wish Kid Pua