NAWILIWILI — Nick Solatre, Roland Balisacan, Enrique Esposo and Rafael Jacinto have something in common with keiki in hospitals — they are all winners! Close to a hundred golfers helped raise funds for the Kapiolani Children’s Miracle Network Saturday by
NAWILIWILI — Nick Solatre, Roland Balisacan, Enrique Esposo and Rafael Jacinto have something in common with keiki in hospitals — they are all winners!
Close to a hundred golfers helped raise funds for the Kapiolani Children’s Miracle Network Saturday by participating in the second annual golf tournament presented by the Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club and Kaua‘i Lagoons.
Aubrey Hawk of Aubrey Hawk Public Relations said that last year the Waiohai tournament raised more than $4,000, and this year it is on track to top $5,000.
Ben Simao, currently at the Engineering Department at Kaua‘i Lagoons, was handling the front desk at the Waiohai when the idea for the tournament was born. Simao’s wife Stephanie had to be medevaced to the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children on O‘ahu after she developed a life-threatening condition known as preeclampsia.
Their daughter Taislee, enjoying an apple in Ben’s arms Saturday, was born three months premature and required advanced specialized care.
“It was during those three months in the Kapiolani Newborn Intensive Care Unit that Ben and Stephanie experienced firsthand what Kapiolani Medical Center and the Kapiolani Children’s Miracle Network offered,” said Shawn Nakamoto of Kapiolani Medical Center in a press release.
“Today, Taislee is a thriving toddler in perfect health who loves to swim at the beach and looks forward to starting preschool next year.”
This experience touched Ben and Stephanie who wanted to do something to give back for Taislee’s gift of life.
Hawk said Ben Simao knew that the Marriott was already a major supporter of the Kapiolani Childen’s Miracle Network, so he approached his general manager at the Waiohai about doing the tournament.
“We are so proud that Marriott is a partner of the Kapiolani Children’s Miracle Network,” Simao said. “Our entire Marriott ‘ohana supports this worthy non-profit organization dedicated to providing specialty services to all children in need.”
Funds from last year’s inaugural tournament went to support the work of the pediatric transport team at Kapiolani Medical Center.
Hawk, who previously coordinated the Ace Shootout benefiting the national Children’s Miracle Network, with Stacey Acma, director of Kapiolani Children’s Miracle Network, said it is not rare for Kaua‘i’s young infants and children to benefit from the services of the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children.
Earlier this year, the saga of the Kaua‘i March for Babies Ambassador played out at the Kapiolani Medical Center.
There have also been countless Kaua‘i keiki who have been positively impacted by the medical center located on O‘ahu.
Acma said proceeds from the golf tournament will raise funds for the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, Hawai‘i’s only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and the only full-service pediatric hospital in the state.
“One hundred percent of all the procceds will stay in Hawai‘i to support our sick and injured keiki,” Acma said.
Betty Dela Cruz, the Waiohai front office manager, and Mark Domingcil, the safety and security manager at Waiohai, joined Simao in coordinating the golf tournament which was played at the Kiele Moana Course, showcasing the longest stretch of oceanfront golf holes in Hawai‘i.
Visit www.cmnhospitals.org or www.kapiolani.org for more information on the Children’s Miracle Network or the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children.
