Aloha,

I have created this GoFundMe to help support Leilani Pao (my childhood bestie) & Kainoa Daines as their baby girl continues her healing journey after open heart surgery. Please note the go fund me tip can be adjusted when making a donation. Recurring donations (e.g. monthly) are an option for your convenience and greatly appreciated.

Donations & support also accepted through Venmo: Leilani-Pao or Zelle: Leilani Pao

xoxo, Jessie

Here is their story:

Leilani and Kainoa found out in October 2024 that Leilani was pregnant and expecting a baby towards the end of May 2025. What a blessing! So much excitement and happiness spread throughout the Pao & Daines families.

Around week 20 of Leilani’s pregnancy, doctors expressed concerns about baby sissy’s heart. After tests and scans, it was determined to be a rare congenital heart disorder called Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Babies born with TOF actually have four different heart problems. Surgery is needed to fix the heart. Open. Heart. Surgery.

We started going to Kapi‘olani to see Dr. Sim, a pediatric cardiologist, for monthly scans & bi-weekly visits to the women’s care specialist to monitor the baby.

Leilani was able to safely deliver Nōweo at Kapi‘olani on May 14. One night in the ICU and one night in the hospital, and they were able to go home. Her surgery could be delayed until around 3-6 months. Kapi‘olani has “Heart Week” for surgeons from Stanford Medical to come out and perform selected surgeries. Nōweo continued to be closely monitored as we watched for any changes to the baby’s skin—turning deep blue or gray, difficulty breathing, and irritability. We also continued monthly cardiology appointments. We were told her case was presented, and the team from Stanford accepted. Her surgery would be done at Kapi‘olani.

Her surgery date got moved up, and we had a week to process, prep, and get ready. We checked into Kapi‘olani on Sunday, spent the night on the pediatric floor, and woke up early for surgery the next morning. After five days in the pediatric ICU, many tears, deep breaths, and tons of prayers, our strong girl got to move to the pediatric floor again. One night there, and we were discharged to go home. We have been home, and we are healing. We are closing in on her eight weeks of recovery.

It finally feels like we can take a breath; it feels like the storm has almost passed. We know Nōweo will continue to have life-long cardiologist visits to monitor her heart. We know she is still living with a rare congenital heart condition. Nōweo has overcome so much, and she is so strong. Our little girl is a warrior.

Post-surgery and almost post-recovery time, we are realizing we may need some help. Leilani was put on medical leave a week before Nōweo was born and has not been able to return to work yet. A significant amount of this time off has been unpaid. Kainoa has taken time off work as well to care for and support their family’s needs.

How Funds Will Be Used:

Medical costs: post-surgery appointments, imaging, labs, cardiac follow-ups

Medications & supplies: prescriptions, pediatric care items

Therapies: recommended PT/OT, if needed

Care logistics: hospital parking, meals during visits, transportation

Income gap: time away from work to care for Nōweo during recovery

From the bottom of our hearts, mahalo nui to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Kapi‘olani Medical Center, to the aunties and uncles who brought meals and hugs, and to every person who has prayed for our little girl. Your love has carried us.