Five-year-old wish kid Vivienne of Kailua sprints into her backyard to discover her new playground! Her smile illuminates her whole being and is enough to make your heart leap. But then you notice Vivienne’s mom. She runs alongside the young girl, recording every precious second, openly weeping happy tears and at this point you realize the transformational power of a wish for not only the wish child, but the entire family. 

Wish mom Lisa’s face has a look of joy not easily captured by words. It’s a sacred maternal emotion. You know she feels a deep pang of relief that her child is finally, unabashedly, happy. 

“She dreamed of having her own playground for so long because once Covid shut everything down and then a month later when she was diagnosed with leukemia, going to the park was one thing that got taken away from her that she loved so much,” says Lisa. 

Vivvy, as family and friends affectionately call her, is sweet and spunky and loves to be outside. And in thinking about her one true wish, she expressed her dreams of having a playground that never closed in her backyard! She missed the thrill she felt when soaring on the swings and gliding down the slides. And she envisioned her own playground to have two swings so she wouldn’t have to take turns with older brother, William. 

After undergoing 2 ½ years of a grueling chemotherapy schedule, the playground came to symbolize so much more. Her mom said she had been, “...the bravest little girl in the world,” through it all.  

Vivvy got a huge surprise when her family told her they would be going away for the weekend because they had to tent their home for termites. In actuality, they had a beautiful staycation while the playground was constructed. Honolulu Freight Service transported the materials, and volunteers from Swinerton Hawaii helped with the assembly.

When they returned, Vivvy learned it was all a cover for her wish as she burst through the gate to cheers and bubbles all around her backyard. 

Lisa notes that there were so many small details that were absolutely perfect and unique for her daughter, “...like the way the playground had her name on it and the lights that could change colors.” 

“This was one of the best experiences...we will be grateful our entire lives for this wish,” says Lisa.