LIHU‘E — Bart Thomas, representing the Ko‘a Kea Resort on Po‘ipu Beach, told Jacob Sparkman and his mother Margaret Hall they would not be sleeping in, Monday despite the fact that Monday was a recognized holiday.
“There’s a boardwalk that takes you right to the beach,” Thomas said during the Lihu‘e Airport greeting, Sunday evening as the sun fought off the vestiges of night. “You won’t want to miss that.”
Thomas was joined by Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami who welcomed the family to Kaua‘i and their vacation through Sept. 10.
“Ko‘a Kea Resort? That right near where I go surfing,” Kawakami said. “You folks will have a lot of fun because you’re in good hands.”
Coordinated through The Children’s Dream Fund in Florida, Sparkman his face painted with an unbelieving smile as his feet planted firmly on Kaua‘i soil and his family are guests to a multi-resort, multi-experience adventure that starts with an two-night stay at the Ko‘a Kea Resort.
“This is the first time we’ve been to Hawai‘i,” said Sparkman’s stepdad James Janosick. “This is going to be exciting.”
Tuesday, the family checks into the Koloa Landing Resort where Sparkman’s eyes lit up when he learned the resort was home to some fabulous pool features including slides and waterfalls.
Sparkman and his family will be treated to the Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventure, a day with personal tours of the island’s major features including the Waimea Canyon, views of Na Pali Coast, a large coffee plantation, and more, including the Pop Up Farmers Market at The Shops at Kukui‘ula.
The time allows for enjoying snorkeling and open time at the beach before they experience the Aulii Luau at the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort that comes ahead of a Blue Dolphin Charters experience along Na Pali Coast.
The Children’s Dream Fund based in St. Petersburg, Florida, is a nonprofit, wish-granting organization that provides dreams for children with life-threatening illnesses between the ages of 3 to 21 years old.
“We have been making dreams come true for the last 40 years, and is one of the oldest and active wish-granting organizations in the country,” states information that was made available to the Sparkmen adventure. “We have planned more than 3,500 dreams. Our dreamers can choose from dreams ranging from travel, shopping, puppy, items, celebrity meets and greets, and more.”
