Page 4 - Hawaii Island MidWeek - April 6, 2022

4 HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK APRIL 6, 2022
HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK COVER STORY
Not many people can say they’ve trained with Navy SEALs, but one youngster from Maui can. Twelve- year-old Lyla, who was diagnosed with a rare nervous system disor- der, wished to be a member of the U.S. Navy’s elite special opera- tions force and got the chance to participate in simulated training and combat exercises on land and in the water with former SEALs. Thanks to Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi, multiple community partners and more than 100 volunteers, Lyla’s wish came true and the experience gifted her with lasting memories.
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For 17-year-old Manuel IV (aka Mano), all he wished for was to refurbish his family’s 1992 Mus- tang GT 5.0. Mano and his father, Manuel III, worked on the car a lot in the two years since the teen’s surgery that removed a portion of an invasive brain tumor. During that time, Mano learned how to replace the brakes and suspension, and conduct routine maintenance.
(Right) Make-A-Wish Hawai‘i granted Paige’s desire to dance with Frozen’s Anna and Elsa at Disney World.
PHOTO COURTESY MAKE-A-WISH HAWAI‘I
Granting wishes like these isn’t as easy as snapping one’s fingers or waving a magic wand. It takes a lot of coordination and connec- tion, and that’s where Make-A- Wish Hawaiʻi has excelled for the past 40 years, as evidenced by the list of success stories and wishes currently in progress at hawaii. wish.org.
“When we surprised Mano with the Mustang makeover, complete with a new paint job, stereo system, etc., he literally jumped up (and onto his father) with joy,” recalls Trini Kaopui-
According to Clark, a lot of hands and hearts come together to make children’s wishes come true. From the time a critically ill child gets referred to the non- profit (either by a doctor, family
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ki Clark, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi.
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