Swinerton Grants Wish for Local Boy
Swinerton Builders recently granted a wish to a lucky young boy as part of Make-A-Wish Hawaii’s efforts to brighten the lives of keiki with critical illnesses. Ares received a Paw-Patrol-themed room that included a loft bed with a slide, custom signage and decals and themed toys.
Aaron Yamasaki, Swinerton vice president and vision manager, alongside a small team and his two-year-old son, Lake, worked together to create Ares’ “Paw Patrol HQ.” The transformation occurred over the course of a few hours while the family was out of the house.
The wish was made possible by Road Builders Corp. The company’s president and Make-A-Wish board member, Jade Richardson, was instrumental in supporting the project.
“Swinerton’s involvement with Make‑A‑Wish Hawaii began several years ago when our team was approached by a colleague who was active with the organization,” says Yamasaki. The first project involved building a batting cage for Chelten, a 10-year-old in Hilo with lymphoma.
“Seeing what the wish meant to Chelten and his family — after years of travel, tests, doctors’ appointments and treatment — really opened our eyes to the power of a wish and the importance of the Make‑A‑Wish mission,” says Yamasaki.
Yamasaki’s involvement with Make-A-Wish grew over time, leading him to join the Make-A-Wish Hawaii board in 2022. Swinerton has since committed to granting at least one wish per year, as well as supporting the nonprofit’s fundraising efforts and contributing seed funding to its Wishes Forever Endowment Fund.
