Page 15 - MidWeek - March 30, 2022

14 MIDWEEK MARCH 30, 2022
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 disorder, wished to be a member of the U.S. Navy’s elite special operations force and got the chance to participate in sim- ulated training and combat ex- ercises 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 gift-
ed her with lasting memories. For 17-year-old Manuel IV (aka Mano), all he wished for was to be able to refurbish his fami- ly’s heirloom 1992 Mustang 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 in- vasive brain tumor. During that time, Mano learned how to re- place the brakes and suspension, and conduct routine maintenance. “When we surprised Mano with the Mustang makeover, complete with a new paint job, stereo system, etc., he literally
(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
jumped up (and onto his father) with joy,” recalls Trini Kaop- uiki Clark, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi. “It was beautiful to witness and it’s something I’ll never forget.”
past 40 years, as evidenced by the list of success stories and wishes currently in progress at hawaii. wish.org.
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
According to Clark, a lot of hands and hearts come together SEE PAGE 15