Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 1985 — 1st Birthday Observed; Fund Raising Continues [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

1st Birthday Observed; Fund Raising Continues

Kealoha Twins Have Aor. 23 Meelieal Date

Crystalyn ancf Jasmine Kealoha, identical one-year-old twin daughters of a Hawaii Kai eouple, will be returning to the University of California Medical Center Apr. 23 for reexamination to determine how they have responded to radiation treatment given over a period of nearly eight weeks. They returned home Mar. 1 with their mother, Bonnie, and grandmother, Nellie Lutz. On the return trip to San Francisco Apr. 22, they will be accompanied by their mother, father Buzzy, and three-year-old brother Justin. The twins, who were born Mar. 14 but observed their first birtnday Mar. 24 at a traditional Hawaiian luau given by relatives, neighbors and friends, are suffering from eye cancer. Doctors discovered during a routine eheekup in January the twins have numerous malignant tumors behind their eyes, medically known as bilateral retinoblastoma. The Kealohas have been virtually speechless and overwhelmed by the staging of the luau and the response to a fund drive started by Kitty Iwamoto of Waialae Iki. "We just don't know what to say. Relatives, neighbors and friends prepared the entire luau. We had nothing to do with it. They just took over. We are so grateful and we just can't thank them enough," Mrs. Kealoha said. As for the fund raiser, Mrs. Iwamoto reported that contributions have topped $15,000 and more are coming in. Mrs. Kealoha said Hawaii's people have been so tremendous and understanding that she just doesn't know how to thank everyone.

"We don't know what the doctors wiil find on this return trip. If the girls haven't responded to the radiation treatment, we may have to have surgery or chemotherapy . We just don't know at this point," she said. "It was devastating," Mrs. Kealoha exclaimed when she found out about the twins' condition. "People look at them and can't believe they have this problem." A recent visit by Ka Wai Ola O OHA to the Kealoha household bears this out. Crystalyn and Jasmine were active and playing like any ordinary healthy toddlers their age. They were full of laughter as they chased eaeh other around in a sprawling living room. "They were born big (7-5 and 7-3) and they've never been sick so this thing comes c>s a complete shock," Mrs. Kealoha explained. br ''6 0) b«>tDrt' ■>«'' ' Li ,rja yV6*vi srit She also added she feels rather uneasy being on the receiving end "because I have always donated and for 13 years have gone door to door with my mother in the annual cancer crusade." "lt never crossed my mind that I'd be on the receiving end because I always felt 1 had three healthy children. I didn't know there was something like this." Mrs. Kealoha also had some kind words for the Koret Family House where they stayed. She described it as being similar to the Ronald McDonaId Houses on the mainland and now in Hawaii. "1 don't know what we would have done without it. The location is ideal. Just one block to the medical center and we had all the conveniences of home," she explained. In contrast, they had to stay at a hotel the first two days and the babies couldn't have their food heated up so they had to eat it cold. Besides, the fee at the Koret is only $10 a night. The family will again be at the Koret when they return to San Francisco. Meanwhile, a number of fund raising activities have been planned or are in the planning stages. One was held Mar. 28 at Showbiz Pizza Plaee in Aina Haina and another is slated Apr. 14 at Keehi Lagoon Park in the airport area. It will be a celebrity softball game and beer bust organized by Shari Floyd Berinobis. The game starts at 3 p.m. The beer bust will be held in the nearby Disabled American Veterans hall. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased by writing: Tito and David for Crystalyn and Jasmine, 250 Kawaihae St., No. 2D, Honolulu %825. Buzzy Kealoha, a 1966 graduate of Kalani High School, has been a tour driver for Robert's the past eight years and was a musician for several top Waikiki entertainers. He is no longer on the musical scene. Mrs. Kealoha said the return trip may invo!ve a stay of four or five days but added, "it could change." Contributions to the fund for the Kealeha twins may be mailed in care of: Friends of Crystalyn and Jasmine, P.O. Box 90900, Honolulu, Hawaii %835.

flHMHHHHBHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHMHHHHHHHHHEB&. •— i WM&mBHBBmtm Pictured is the Kealoha family in their Hawaii Kai residence. From left to right are Jasmine with dad, Buzzy, and Crystalyn with mom, Bonnie. They lea ve for San F rancisco Apr. 22 for a reexamination. The one-year-old twins are suffering from eye . cancer. In foreground is big brother Justin, 3.