Inspire Magazine Annual Report 2020 | Page 12

LEFT TO RIGHT : Tui and dad Chuck enjoying some of their favorite father-son activities , biking and skateboarding .
defects require complex cardiac procedures and life-long treatment . This will be a new chapter in heart care in Hawai ‘ i for kids with the same condition as Tui , as well as other critical cardiac needs .
“ There are about 190 kids being born every single year in Hawai ‘ i with heart defects and some of them require more than one procedure in their childhood ,“ Dr . Bratincsak said . Besides the physical upgrades the new equipment will bring , Kapi ‘ olani is recruiting additional cardiac specialists including a pediatric heart surgeon . “ This is not an understatement – Kapi ‘ olani ‘ s Pediatric Heart Center will save lives ,“ Dr . Bratincsak said .
It started with an invitation to lunch . As they discussed meeting the needs of local kids with heart defects , Chuck asked a simple question : “ What will it take to do this ?“
“ I remember cautiously bouncing off ideas because I had no idea what to expect ,“ Dr . Bratincsak said . “ But it was clear that both of us wanted exactly the same thing for the patients at Kapi ‘ olani . You cannot imagine the excitement , promise and hope that Chuck brought . I ‘ m very humbled and appreciative .“
Today , the Mitsuis are the lead donors for the new Pediatric Heart Center which will be the first of its kind in Hawai ‘ i . The family ‘ s opening contribution has truly inspired many other community members to also support the project .
“ I just said , ‘ We can commit to this ,‘“ Chuck said . “ This is worthwhile to create , so kids don ‘ t have to go through this and families don ‘ t have to be disrupted .“
This endeavor will begin with a cardiac catheterization laboratory . The lab is expected to be completed at the end of 2021 with a state-of-the-art program offering a wide range of services for children and young adults with heart defects . Children born with heart
Thanks to Tui , the Mitsui family helped fast track this project . You could say Tui is every bit that powerful force in the universe that he dreams to be .
Kapi ‘ olani Health Foundation ‘ s Young Leaders Board conducted a healing hearts campaign of its own . The board ‘ s Keiki Gram fundraiser raised $ 52,100 for the Pediatric Heart Center plus funded toys and books for hospitalized patients on Valentine ‘ s Day !
Mahalo to our Keiki Gram sponsors Andrew Friedlander , Blacksand Capital , CKW Financial LLC , Completely Floored LLC , Colliers International Hawaii LLC , Cosco Inc , The Howard Hughes Corporation , Paul Kosasa , The Resort Group , Robert & Ashley Kurisu , and Title Guaranty of Hawaii , Inc .
12 INSPIRE | 2021