Maui moms invite community to participate in innovative golf event to raise funds for Maui's only children's hospital

WAILEA, Maui, Hawaii (August 29, 2008)— Two Maui mothers, both active in business and the community, invite everyone to participate in a new kind of golf "tournament" — where teeing off is optional. The Kapi`olani Golf for Miracles event will raise funds for Kapi`olani Medical Center for Women & Children through the Kapi`olani Children's Miracle Network.

The brainchild of Anne Takabuki, president of Wailea Golf LLC, and attorney Lynn Araki-Regan, both members of the Kapi`olani Health Foundation Board of Directors, Kapi`olani Golf for Miracles is scheduled for Friday, September 26 on the Wailea Golf Club's beautiful Emerald Course.

The event transcends the traditional golf tournament fundraiser format because in addition to being open to golfers of all levels, anyone can participate as a non-golfer. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to Kapi`olani Medical Center for Women & Children, Hawaii's only full-service children's hospital.

Lynn Araki-Regan, whose son Riley was born 10 weeks premature in 2005, credits Kapi`olani for saving his life. Hundreds of other Maui families share similar experiences each year: in 2007, 79 Maui moms, most with high-risk pregnancies, gave birth at Kapi`olani; 106 critically ill babies and children were air transported from Maui; 32 of Maui's sickest keiki were treated in Kapi`olani's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), and 93 Maui keiki were treated for cancer at Kapi`olani's Pediatric Ambulatory Unit (PAU). "It's crucial that we support the vital programs and services of Hawaii's children's hospital,” Araki-Regan said. “For Maui families faced with their child being critically ill, diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, or being born premature, Kapi`olani Medical Center is essential. My family is personally grateful to Kapi`olani for the care they provided when my son was born premature three years ago. And as a not-for-profit hospital, Kapi`olani needs our support."

All participants will enjoy a complimentary breakfast starting at 11am. Play will begin at noon. Afterward, Takabuki and Araki-Regan will host a special pupu reception at 5pm at the Wailea Golf Club, where guests will get an inside look at the important work being done at Kapi`olani Medical Center, and hear amazing stories from the parents of Maui children who have received lifesaving medical treatment at Kapi`olani.

Registration is easy at www.kapiolani.org. Upon sign-up, participants receive a personal online Pledge Page to seek donations from friends, family members, clients, etc. on a per-hole basis. Participants are asked to raise a minimum of $360 via pledges or their own personal donation.

About Kapi‘olani Health Foundation

The Kapi‘olani Health Foundation supports its affiliates, Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children and Kapi‘olani Medical Center at Pali Momi, by raising funds to provide women, infants and children in Hawaii and the Pacific Region with specialty medical care, purchase life-saving equipment, support community outreach and education, and further local research.

About Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children

Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children is Hawaii's only Pediatric Specialty Hospital and High Risk Maternity Center. With 197 beds and 90 bassinets, Kapiolani Medical Center is a tertiary care medical teaching and research facility specializing in the care and treatment of women, infants and children. Pediatric services for children throughout the state and Pacific Region include intensive care for infants and children, 24-hour emergency care and pediatric air transport.

About Hawaii Pacific Health

Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children, Kapi‘olani Medical Center at Pali Momi, Straub Clinic & Hospital and Wilcox Memorial Hospital are the four hospital affiliates of the non-profit healthcare organization Hawaii Pacific Health. Its mission is to provide the highest quality healthcare and services to the people of Hawaii and the Pacific Region. Hawaii Pacific Health administrative offices are located at 55 Merchant St, 26th Floor, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. Telephone: (808) 535-7100.