Ryder’s Wish: Make-A-Wish Hawaii Reveals Brand New Playground

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By Malika Dudley / Email: malika@mauinow.com

Make-A-Wish Hawaii granted a very special wish to 8-year-old Pukalani Wish Kid Ryder (Ekolu) and his family this weekend. Ryder was diagnosed with craniosynostosis, which results in an abnormally early fusion of the bones of the skull leading to developmental delays. His wish request was unique – to have his own backyard oasis where he could tap into his imagination.

After 5 days of construction the grand reveal unveiled a custom-built backyard playground! The Make-A-Wish Hawaii team estimates 70 to 100 volunteers from Maui and Oahu made this wish possible.

The Make-A-Wish playground reveal is a hit!

Ryder and his family stayed at The Sheraton Maui during construction so that the reveal would be a true “surprise.”

Make-A-Wish® Hawaii grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The Hawaii chapter is among the busiest in the nation with the privilege of granting about 1,100 wishes per year – Hawaii is one of the most popular wishes requested worldwide.

Make-A-Wish Hawaii, founded in 1982 to host these visiting wish families, granted its first wish to a Hawaii child in 1984 and has been dedicated ever since to ensuring Hawaii’s own keiki get referred and see their wishes come true.

As a privately-funded nonprofit, Hawaii wishes are entirely supported with the help of more than 400 volunteers, more than 200 businesses, and year-round financial and in-kind support from our local community.

It is the vision of Make-A-Wish Hawaii to grant the wish of every eligible child, driven by the knowledge that wishes are good medicine. For more than 33 years, Make-A-Wish Hawaii has helped more than 12,000 children better fight their medical battles.

For more information about Make-A-Wish Hawaii, visit hawaii.wish.org