LIHUE — Make-A-Wish Hawaii’s summer is off to a great start with an amazing wish revealed on Kauai. Kapaa wish kid Harper was diagnosed in 2015 with a rare cancer affecting his body’s connective tissues. The 8-year-old has an immense
LIHUE — Make-A-Wish Hawaii’s summer is off to a great start with an amazing wish revealed on Kauai.
Kapaa wish kid Harper was diagnosed in 2015 with a rare cancer affecting his body’s connective tissues. The 8-year-old has an immense curiosity for travel. Interestingly enough, it is the journey that thrills him even more than the actual destination.
He loves trains, planes and boats, and is absolutely fascinated by their inner workings. Harper wishes of traveling the world all while learning about the inner workings of his transportation.
In June, Harper and his family visited Nawiliwili Harbor to tour the Honolulu-based Norwegian cruise ship Pride of America. They were surprised by teams from Aloha Petroleum and Lahaina Petroleum, his wish sponsors.
Staff from their Kauai locations greeted Harper with signs, and revealed that his wish of traveling on a cruise ship was about to come true. They were able to experience the Power of a Wish by seeing his genuine joy and excitement, pose for photos and wish him well.
“Aloha Petroleum is truly honored to support Make-A-Wish Hawaii in granting this wish to Harper,” said Richard Parry, Aloha Petroleum CEO and president. “It was both humbling and heartwarming to participate in this experience, and we couldn’t have done it without the generous donations of our customers who continue to give back to the community through our in-store collection canister program.”
“Lahaina Petroleum has been serving the Kauai community for over 15 years. Today, we are honored to partner with Aloha Petroleum and Make-A-Wish Hawaii, granting Harper’s wish,” said Elizabeth Valentina, Lahaina Petroleum CFO. “We look forward to continuing to support Wish kids and their families!”
James Donnelly, Make-A-Wish Hawaii’s development manager, was on site to thank Aloha Petroleum and Lahaina Petroleum for their in-store fundraising efforts over the last couple of months.
“Kauai is a special place and the community doesn’t hesitate to help their neighbors in need,” Donnelly said. “It is so wonderful to have such a large group take time to come down for a family who has been through so much.”
Harper is one of many wish children throughout the islands who have been waiting for their wishes to be granted.
