Posted on: Friday, October 15, 2004
Toddler star of Kapolei football team
By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer
It's homecoming time at Kapolei High School in more ways than one.
Donations to the Friends of Kamalani Fund can be made at any First Hawaiian Bank branch. For more information on Kamalani Quindica, visit www2.caringbridge.org/ Kamalani Quindica just celebrated her own homecoming. On Sunday, the 3-year-old flew home with her mother, Carolyn, from the University of CaliforniaiSan Francisco's Medical Center, where Kamalani's cancer-ridden liver was taken out Aug. 3 and replaced with a new one.
They reunited with dad Kevin Quindica and brother Kainoa, 7. Then the Kapolei family learned they'd been embraced by an entire community longing to help.
Robin Ogino, who heads student activities, started organizing the Kapolei High tribute. Among the first to sign on were friends Darin Awong Sr. and Jr.
"He kind of thinks of her as a little sister," Darin Sr. said of his son, an offensive guard on the team.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser All that, as well as donations made to Kamalani's special account, will raise money for the Quindicas' expenses.
Kevin Quindica, a physical therapy assistant for Kaiser Permanente, has most of the medical bills paid, but not for the barrage of anti-rejection drugs Kamalani must take for her new liver and over-the-counter medications to counteract the side effects. Those are lifelong expenses, he said, for which he hasn't even contemplated the total cost.
Kevin is happy to see his daughter grow stronger and feistier than ever, despite the hair loss and weight gain from her treatments. Her parents have to mind her suppressed immune system and keep her home for now, but "she's running around the house, playing," Quindica said.
Her dad hasn't quite let go of worry — although he has managed to stop fighting all the helping hands. Co-workers contributed vacation time; friends keep sending gifts.
"I was born and raised to take care of my family, be independent," Quindica said. "It was hard to accept all this."
"I told him, 'It's not about pity, it's about blessing you and your family,' " Awong said.
Coach Darren Hernandez said the football team loved wearing the decals. They fit in perfectly with the team motto this year: "Hold the Rope," a pledge to have the courage to hang on.
"She truly is holding the rope," Hernandez said of Kamalani. "Our Kapolei community is behind her."
Reach Vicki Viotti at vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8053.
In the Hurricanes' televised game against football rival Nanakuli tonight, the cameras might catch the teal-and-gray ribbon decals on the Kapolei helmets that read "God Bless Kamalani," the child to whom the game is dedicated.
Kamalani Quindica
Donations
hi/kamalani.
Awong got busy lining up donors of goods and services from the Kapolei community, having the decals and pin-on ribbons made and scooping up bowls of chili at yesterday's homecoming fair.
Kapolei High School students watch freshman Tyler Kukahiko breakdance at the school's homecoming dance. Entrance proceeds, along with other homecoming game benefits, will go to help Kamalani Quindica, 3, who just came home with a new liver.
The Hurricanes will wear this decal at their game tonight.
