NHS, HOSA lend a hand at A Keiki’s Dream Walk
Photo by Faith Owan
Small meets big as firefighters from the Maui Fire Department give high fives at the end of A Keiki’s Dream Walk, a fund-raiser for A Keiki’s Dream. The organization grants wishes for children who have been or are in crisis. Kamehameha Maui National Honor Society and Health Occupations Students of America students helped out at event Saturday, October 25, at Keōpūolani Park.
HOSA and National Honor Society volunteers helped out at A Keiki’s Dream Walk yesterday, October 25.
“I think it’s a good thing for kids on the island that might be overlooked or might fly under the radar and don’t get services,” said Kumu Brooke Nacua, Health Occupations Students of America adviser at Kamehameha Maui.
A Keiki’s Dream is an organization that helps children, ages 4 to 18, who have experienced any crisis to have a wish granted. They do this through fund-raising activities and donations from the community. The funds go to fulfilling the children’s dreams, giving them encouragement and boosting self-esteem.
“When children are in crisis of any kind, they lose hope. Sometimes their sense of stability is shattered, their faith in the future and themselves—gone,” AKD’s website says.
Functions like A Keiki’s Dream Walk raise money to make those children’s wishes come true.
NHS students from the Maui campus made donations, raised money by walking and staffed stations around the event to pass out treats.
Senior Jaye-lyn Orikasa, president of the National Honor Society, was one of the volunteers. She said that members of the organization must participate in at least three community service events.
“We didn’t run a booth or anything, but we were able to donate about $250 to the cause, and we got a few members to come and walk. It went really well, there was a lot of food, and we’re really enjoying [it],” she said.
HOSA members and officers also participated in the actual walk. Additionally, they donated and conducted the pumpkin bowling game.
“I’m here for HOSA and today. I was working in the booth passing out stuff to the little kids…it was nice to see all of the kids having a blast,”Junior Kiana Carroll said,
The event began at around 8 a.m., at which time the walkers made their way around Keōpūolani Park. They gathered Halloween treats in orange bags supplied by the organization.
A majority of the children were decked out in cute and creative Halloween costumes, including a miniature King Kamehameha and a Bamm-Bamm, complete with a Flintstones-themed car.
Afterward, there was food, games, prizes, and entertainment for all the participants.
“It’s just a really fun event. It’s great. It’s nice to see all of the kids come out and enjoy themselves,” said junior Kiana Kanoa, chair of the HOSA student committee.
According to their site, “AKD now serves more than 75 children each year, and has facilitated more than 1,400 Dreams since it began.”
A Keiki’s Dream can always use more volunteers and donations. Click here to see how you can help.
Kumu Nacua said, “I’m just hoping that…advertising saturates the island a little bit more so that we can get more participation, and, of course, that means more donations for A Keiki’s Dream.”
