Higa Family

The Higa family lives on Maui and is a family of seven.

In 2016, then 3-year old Nainoa (far left) was taken to the emergency room after experiencing a lot of physical problems. Nainoa was suffering from cancerous tumors in his stomach - in which the surgeon removed as many as he could, but there were still too many and was diagnosed with state 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma. The oncology team said that Nainoa's chances of survival were slim.

However his family decided to try chemotherapy anyway. "We felt that if there was a way to save him then we had to give it a try," said dad. They packed up and moved to Oahu to be near Nainoa as he got his treatments. "For me and my wife, it was an emotional roller coaster that took a toll on us individually and on our relationship. We each had intense feelings and emotions as we struggled to be parents to our sick child and to our toddler. There were many dark days and nights during Nainoa’s year of treatment."

"HUGS was one of the groups that provided sunshine and light, not only for Nainoa but for our entire family. They were a huge help because they gave Nainoa one-on-one attention which helped take his mind off his treatment. At the same time, it provided my wife and me with much-needed rest, or it allowed us time to spend with our other son. HUGS also had events for sick children and their families. Oftentimes siblings of sick children can be forgotten or put on the back burner, but HUGS made sure to include them because they recognize that siblings are also suffering and coping."

Seven years later Nainoa is a healthy 10 year old and cancer free. "We recognize how truly blessed we are and the many hands that helped our son and family, including the oncology team at Kapiolani Hospital, the many children’s cancer organizations, and especially HUGS."