Record-Breaking $1.2 Million Raised at the 20th Annual Kapi‘olani Radiothon for Kids
Published Sept. 18, 2026
The 2026 Radiothon set a record by raising more than $1.2 million in donations for Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children.
History was made at the 20th annual Kapiʻolani Radiothon for Kids, as a record-breaking amount was raised for Hawaiʻi’s keiki. The Radiothon surpassed its goal by collecting $1,204,575 over two days of live broadcasts on KSSK FM 92.3/AM 590 and KSSKRadio.iHeart.com. Generous donations came in from across the state and the mainland to support Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children.
“It’s amazing to see the overwhelming community support,” said Dawn Dunbar, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health senior vice president of Philanthropy. “To raise over a million dollars for programs and services at Kapiʻolani, especially for our 20th Radiothon with KSSK, is nothing short of remarkable. This is more than a number. This record total speaks to the strength of our community and advances our goal of creating healthier communities.”
KSSK radio personalities John Matthews and Sweetie Pacarro made the exciting announcement live on-air Friday evening. They were joined by 2026 Hawaiʻi Children's Miracle Network Champion, 4-year-old Seeley Borges, and her family. The little girl from Kauaʻi was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer when she was just about 2 weeks old.
“Being here for our first Radiothon was so magical for us," said Hayley Borges, Seeley's mother. "We’ve had many meals in this cafeteria in not such happy times when Seeley was going through treatment. Now, to be here celebrating and giving back to kids like Seeley, it’s a full circle moment.”
Community Support Powers a Record Year
This year’s Radiothon was jam-packed with support from more than 50 sponsors and partners from near and far. Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union (MVFCU), headquartered in Alaska with a location in Waipahu, made the first long-term pledge in Radiothon history by committing to be a presenting sponsor for three years. The first-time Kapiʻolani and Radiothon supporter also sponsored a Triple Match hour on each day of the event, tripling every dollar donated.
Chad Ritchie (back row, right), MVFCU president and CEO, with Kapiʻolani CMN Champions and supporters.
“Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union is proud to support Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children and the lifesaving care it provides to children and families across Hawaiʻi,” said Chad Ritchie, MVFCU president and CEO.
“Our connection to Hawaiʻi began more than a decade ago when Kunia Federal Credit Union joined MVFCU, and it has continued to grow through the relationships we have built in the Waipahu community and across the islands. At MVFCU, community partnerships are central to who we are. Supporting the Kapiʻolani Radiothon for Kids is a meaningful way for us to invest in the health, hope, and future of Hawaiʻi’s families.”
Special Guests and Local Partners Join the Celebration
Kyo-ya Hotel and Resorts leaders and volunteers with Kai the Honu and 2026 Kapiʻolani CMN Champion Seeley Borges.
There was no shortage of excitement and fun for keiki. Kids didn’t have to go to the beach to meet Kai the Honu, Sheraton Waikīkī Beach Resort’s official mascot.
Kai wasn’t the only larger-than-life character to make an appearance in Kapiʻolani’s dining room.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse spread a little Disney joy and magic at Kapiʻolani.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse traveled all the way from Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, for a special visit while Aulani “voluntEARs” helped keiki make bracelets and color Disney-themed sheets.
Investing in Care for Hawaiʻi's Children
Hyundai Dealers of Hawaiʻi and Hyundai Hope on Wheels continued their longstanding support of the Children's Miracle Network and Kapiʻolani with a $60,000 gift at Radiothon.
Many Radiothon partners supported specialized pediatric cancer care programs, services, and equipment at Kapiʻolani, including Hyundai Dealers of Hawaiʻi and Hyundai Hope on Wheels (HHoW), which gave $60,000 toward two Triple Match hours, and were named presenting sponsors of the second day of the event. HHoW and local Hyundai dealers are longtime supporters and have given more than $1.2 million to Kapiʻolani since 1998.
“The community backs our Hyundai dealers, so it’s our obligation to back the community the same way," said Jerry Romano of Hyundai Dealers of Hawaiʻi. "It’s special to us, and it really is an honor to be able to do that.”
Donations also poured in for the future Martha B. Smith Cancer & Infusion Center, which is set to open at Kapiʻolani in 2027. The dedicated space will be five times larger than the medical center’s current space and is designed to enhance cancer and infusion care for Hawaiʻi’s women and children. Kapiʻolani’s specialized pediatric oncology team cares for about 60 children who are newly diagnosed with cancer and 150 in active treatment each year.
"We have been fundraising throughout the year to support Kapiʻolani and its new cancer center, and I am incredibly excited that both Northwestern Mutual Hawaiʻi and Boland Wealth Management are participating as sponsors this year," said Jamie Delgadillo, Northwestern Mutual Hawaiʻi managing partner.
"We hope to build on the momentum generated by our fundraising efforts and leverage this event to help us reach the $100,000 commitment we have pledged to raise for the hospital through the Kapiʻolani Radiothon for Kids."
Decades of Making a Difference
Another critical Kapiʻolani program received a significant funding boost. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser directed its Radiothon commitment of $40,000 to the Sex Abuse Treatment Center, which is marking 50 years of providing comprehensive and confidential services for sex assault survivors in Hawaiʻi.
UHA Health Insurance presented a check for $10,000 to the Sex Abuse Treatment Center.
Radiothon donations support programs and services that would not otherwise be possible, lifesaving equipment, and other items on this year's Kapiʻolani's Wish List, such as:
- An adaptive tricycle for pediatric rehabilitation patients.
- Incubators for babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
- Custom-specialized burn carts to treat burn wounds for pediatric patients.
- An infrared vein finder to help to make IV insertions more efficient.
The first-ever Radiothon was held in 2007 in Kapiʻolani’s cafeteria, nearly a decade before the medical center’s Diamond Head Tower was built. Michael W. Perry and the late Larry Price hit the airwaves on KSSK FM 92.3/AM 590 with emotional stories from patient families. Since then, Radiothon has raised more than $7 million with every dollar staying in Hawaiʻi to support children statewide and across the Pacific.
“From our humble beginnings in the cafeteria, we have been here every year raising money for Kapiʻolani,” said Michael W. Perry, KSSK radio personality. “Our team is proud to be part of Radiothon, and we will continue doing this for the next 20 years.”
