Oregon family’s dreams come true thanks to West Maui small businesses
LAHAINA – “At this point I am doing better than expected, but I want to make the most of the time with my family while I can. Many of the aspects of my formerly active life (playing guitar, running and camping) are now difficult or impossible for me, which makes it hard to enjoy my time,” said Robb, a 36-year-old father from Oregon battling a terminal brain tumor.
He has been living with his diagnosis for the last year, past the original life expectancy provided by his care team.
“While we don’t know what the future holds, or if we’ll reach that anniversary in relatively good health,” Robb said, “it is my dream to bring my immediate family to Hawaii with me before that time, ideally to Maui, an island we’ve always wanted to visit.”
When Megan Turley of Dream Foundation reached out to Coconut Condos to see if they could accommodate Robb; his wife, Abby; sons Eli and Ezekiel, ages three years old and five months, respectively; and their caregiver, Coconut Condos gladly reserved a condo for them.
Dawn Davis and Monty McGill, owners of a two-bedroom, two-bath condo at Aina Nalu, donated six nights in their lovely vacation rental. The developer of Aina Nalu offered free parking to Robb’s family during their stay.
Thanks to Monica Chihara of the Hyatt Regency Maui, the family attended the resort’s Drums of the Pacific Luau.
“Drums of the Pacific Luau is truly honored to provide a few hours of reprieve from the daily trials these Dreamers face. We hope the evening is a lasting memory for all members of the family, and that the loving and healing effects Maui has on anyone lifts their spirits not only while they are here, but that they take some of that warmth back with them to carry them through,” Chihara told Coconut Condos.
Abby enjoyed a 75-minute facial and a 45-minute shampoo blow dry donated by Wendy Pogni, owner of Soleil Luna salon and spa in Lahaina.
“As a mom myself, I am happy to be able to use my gifts to help create special memories for this family and give this fellow mama a brief reprieve from the demands of caring for a sick husband and two young children,” she said.
Robb and Abby were also able to enjoy a date night at Warren & Annabelle’s thanks to Lisa and Warren Gibson’s generous donation of a royal flush package to see their magic show, which included appetizers, dessert and cocktails.
A date night – just the two of them – was something that the couple had really hoped for, and this night was made a reality thanks to Lisa and Warren.
Robb also took his family on a tour of the beautiful Maui Tropical Plantation in Wailuku, arranged by Patty Okuda. On the tram ride, they learned how sugarcane and pineapples grow at this farm.
Frances Anakalea from the Maui Ocean Center also donated tickets for the whole family to explore their aquarium and oceanography center, which includes a 750,000-gallon exhibit with 240-degree view acrylic tunnel.
Angela Leone of Coconut Condos noted, “Mahalo to our community for helping Coconut Condos make these dreams as memorable and fulfilling as possible! It is encouraging and inspiring to see the generosity of so many small business owners on the West Side of Maui come together for total strangers – that is truly aloha spirit. Coconut Condos looks forward to providing more dreams for Dreamers like Robb in the future. If you or someone you know would like to make a donation to one of our future Dreamers, please send an e-mail to info@coconutcondos.com or call us at (808) 419-1000.”