FISCAL YEAR 2023 ANNUAL REPORT
I wish to go to Walt Disney World® to meet princesses
Layla, 8, Kaneohe digestive disorder
Aloha Wish ‘Ohana,
As we reflect on more than 40 years of transforming lives across the state through the power of a wish, we remain committed to granting the wish of every eligible child, today and into the future. Your partnership is vital in creating life-changing wishes for local children with critical illnesses and we want to thank you for your support. Together, we granted wishes for 85 local children last fiscal year!
As you read the Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report, we hope you’ll see the impact you’ve had on the lives of children like Honolulu wish kid Nemu, whose wish to go to Chicago to see snow and be reunited with her caregiver gave her the strength to live, or Kailua wish kid Vivienne, whose wish to have a playground gave her a safe space to play outdoors. We’ll share the story of California wish kid Simone, whose heartfelt wish was to meet Hawaii-born ‘ukulele virtuoso and composer Jake Shimabukuro. His music brought her strength while fighting leukemia. And we’ll introduce you to some of the many medical and community partners whose sincere belief in the power of a wish will play a pivotal role in granting more life-changing wishes like these as we look toward the future.
In August, the wildfires on Maui devastated the community, impacting our wish ‘ohana. We were grateful and relieved to learn that our waiting wish kids and volunteers were safe. We extend a heartfelt mahalo to our team, partners, volunteers, donors and wish granters for their unwavering dedication, organizing aid for wish families and the entire West Maui community. In challenging times like these, our commitment to granting life-changing wishes becomes even more important. We are proud to deliver hope to local keiki fighting critical illnesses when they need it most.
Mahalo nui loa for your heartfelt support to ensure no child will have to wait one day longer than necessary to experience the power of a wish. Together, we can continue to transform lives, one wish at a time.
Warm Aloha,
Trini Kaopuiki Clark
Jeff Higashi President and CEO Chair, Board of Directors
YEAR IN REVIEW
I wish to meet Mickey Mouse
Joseph, Waipahu wish granted in 2015 rare disease
I wish to go to
FISCAL YEAR 2023
Walt Disney World® Mark Anthony, 4, Honolulu kidney transplant
2023 EVENTS
Mahalo to our partners for their heartfelt support to make wishes come true. We couldn’t grant wishes without you!
The Swing for Wishes golf tournament at Hawaii Prince Golf Club has grown to be one of our most important fundraisers, raising more than $1.4 million since its inception to transform the lives of Hawaii keiki with critical illnesses. Thanks to the ongoing partnership of Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, this event has given wish kids the hope and strength needed to keep fighting when they need it most.
The 10th annual Jingle Rock Run, presented by Road Builders Corporation, was a joyous celebration of the power of a wish, bringing the community together and raising funds to transform lives of children across the state battling critical illnesses. After pivoting to a holiday drive the last two years due to the pandemic, we were thrilled to once again walk alongside local wish keiki, their families, and valued partners at this cherished celebration in December.
Thanks to the generous support of gala sponsors, attendees, Fund-A-Wish participants, auction donors and bidders, WISH! Into the Future raised a record-breaking $1 million—the most successful fundraising event in Make-A-Wish Hawaii history— to grant wishes today and into the future!
Make-A-Wish Hawaii’s Young Leaders Board hosted the return of Waffles for Wishes, a champagne-chic waterfront brunch held at Aloha Tower Marketplace in February. This event brought hundreds of community members together to eat, drink and be merry while raising funds to grant wishes for children like Aleyna, a 7-year-old girl from Honolulu.
Mahalo for an incredible evening sailing along Waikiki while celebrating the power of a wish! Make-A-Wish Hawaii’s Young Leaders Board was proud to present the 4th annual Wine for Wishes ... on the Water on July 22 aboard The Majestic by Atlantis Cruises. Guests enjoyed gorgeous sunset views while supporting wishes for local keiki battling critical illnesses. Thank you for your generosity and for being part of such a special evening making wishes come true!
SPOTLIGHTS
Goodfellow Bros. Building a community one wish at a time
Wilson Okamoto Employees Raise $10,000 for wishes
Fund Wish Kid Taiyo’s Spirit Lives On
Mahalo nui loa for helping us grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
Read the full Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report including inspiring stories online.
Robin’s Journey of Hope and Giving Back Wishes for Maui Endowment Wish kid siblings Iva, Vai & Ota