Legacy of Life Hawaii

10/05/2026

A lifetime of caring. A legacy that reaches across an ocean. 💚

John William Baird served others as a soldier and nurse. After his passing in Hawai‘i, his sister honored his wish to become an organ donor. His kidney traveled from Hawai‘i to Connecticut, bringing hope to someone awaiting a transplant.

We honor John and extend our heartfelt gratitude to his family. Behind every gift of donation is a deeply loved person—and a legacy worth remembering.

Mahalo to CT Insider for sharing his story.

Read John’s story

Using a specialized preservation vault, John Baird's kidney traveled over 4,353.8 nautical miles to Hartford, setting a record for the longest documented kidney journey.

08/21/2026

Aaron Okubo recently celebrated an incredible milestone: 20 years since receiving his lifesaving liver and kidney transplant.

Aaron, a longtime Legacy of Life Hawai‘i ambassador, joined our Community Outreach Coordinator, Marissa Fujikawa, on KITV4's Island Life to reflect on the generous donor who gave him a second chance at life.

Marissa also spoke about the importance of registering as an organ, eye, and tissue donor—and letting your family know about your decision.

Mahalo to the Island Life team for helping us share Aaron’s inspiring journey and the lifesaving impact of donation.

Watch the full interview: https://www.youtube.com//playlists

📷 Photo courtesy of KITV. From left: Lina, KITV Island Life; Marissa Fujikawa, Legacy of Life Hawai‘i; Davey, KITV Island Life; and Aaron Okubo, transplant recipient.

05/28/2026

✨ Thankful Thursday ✨

Mahalo to Honolulu Cookie Company for generously donating delicious strawberry matcha dipped cookies for our Donor Remembrance Ceremony. 💚🍓🍵

The Donor Remembrance Ceremony honors those who gave the gift of life, honors donor families, and remembers the lasting impact of their gift.

These thoughtful treats added a special touch to the day and helped create a warm and welcoming environment for the families we serve.

Mahalo to Honolulu Cookie Company for supporting our donor families and community with such kindness and generosity.

05/28/2026

Thank you Donate Life America for sharing this amazing story about Payton.

"I received a heart transplant as a child. I was very young when my family got the call that a donor heart was available, and that call changed the entire course of my life. My donor was Christian Caruana. Because he was registered as an organ donor, and because his mom, Mary, said yes to organ donation in the middle of unimaginable grief, I am alive today. Because of that decision, I’ve been able to grow up. I’ve graduated. I’ve built a career. I’ve laughed with friends, loved deeply, and experienced milestones I never would have had without a transplant. Organ donation didn’t just save my life, it gave me a future.

When you register as a donor, you’re not just checking a box. You’re giving someone more birthdays, more ordinary days that feel extraordinary, more time with the people they love. I live every day grateful for the gift I was given. If you’ve ever considered registering, I hope my story encourages you to say yes." – Payton. 💙💚 Register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at RegisterMe.org today.

05/28/2026

🕯️ Celebration of Life 🕯️

Mahalo to Hawai‘i Care Choices, formerly Hospice of Hilo, Hawaii, for hosting the annual Celebration of Life event in Hilo. We were honored to attend, connect with the community, and share information about the lifesaving and healing impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation.

As part of the evening, floating lanterns carrying heartfelt messages from our donor families and our staff were gently set in remembrance and gratitude for our donor heroes.

Mahalo to all who helped create such a meaningful and beautiful evening of remembrance, hope, and reflection.

05/27/2026

💚 Volunteer Spotlight 💚

Last weekend, we were honored to participate in the Ka Makana Ali'i Senior Health Fair, connecting with seniors, families, caregivers, and community members from across Oʻahu.

Throughout the day, we engaged with more than 75 people, sharing information about the lifesaving impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation and encouraging meaningful conversations about donor registration.

A special mahalo to our volunteers, Aaron and Adam, for helping represent Legacy of Life Hawaiʻi and our mission. We are especially excited to welcome Adam as one of our newest volunteers and grateful for his willingness to jump right in and help make a difference.

Mahalo as well to the Ka Makana Aliʻi Senior Health Fair organizers for bringing together so many valuable community resources and for including Legacy of Life Hawaiʻi in this meaningful event.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table to learn more about donation and the gift of life. Every conversation helps build awareness, inspire hope, and encourage others to register their decision.

05/25/2026

✨ Mahalo Monday ✨

Mahalo to our community partner, Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi, for bringing such a meaningful experience to our Donor Remembrance Ceremony. 💚

Through their support, our donor families were able to write messages of love and remembrance for their loved ones. Shinnyo volunteers will carefully affix each message onto lanterns that will be released this Memorial Day at Ala Moana Beach Park—creating a beautiful tribute of light, reflection, and peace.

We are grateful for this opportunity to help families honor their loved ones in such a special and lasting way.

05/25/2026

Today is Memorial Day, and we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. A very special mahalo to all those who served and we continue to pray for the families of these fallen heroes.

We are grateful for their sacrifice and continue to express our gratitude through our life-saving mission.

05/22/2026

🎉 Mahalo to FilCom Center for having us at Filipino Fiesta earlier this month! 💚

During Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPI), we were honored to connect with members of Hawai‘i’s Filipino community to share the importance of donation and have direct conversations with more than 450 attendees throughout the day.

It was encouraging to hear that so many community members were already registered as donors on their driver’s licenses. We also had meaningful conversations with individuals who asked questions or shared concerns about donation, giving us the opportunity to provide education, share facts, and discuss the importance of donation and saving lives.

We’re always grateful for the opportunity to have these important conversations with our community. To learn more or register as a donor, visit registerme.org 🌺

Mahalo to our wonderful volunteers — Aaron, Jerry, Lucy, and Tanya — for helping us share hope, education, and the importance of donation with our community throughout the day. 💚

05/21/2026

💚 Donor Hero Michael Chan Hin

Michael lived a life centered on caring for others. Whether helping a family member, supporting a friend, or lending a hand to someone in need, kindness was simply part of who he was.

That same spirit guided Michael's decision to register as a donor. Following his passing, Michael became a tissue and cornea donor, continuing to help others and bringing healing and hope beyond his lifetime.

For those who knew and loved him, his donation was a reflection of how Michael lived every day—with compassion, generosity, and a willingness to help others. His gift serves as a lasting reminder that one person's decision can make a meaningful difference in the lives of many.

Today, Michael's legacy lives on through the lives he touched, the people who loved him, and those who have been impacted by his gift.

💚 We honor Donor Hero Michael Chan Hin and all donor heroes whose generosity continues to bring hope and healing to others.