Support for Leiola’s Healing

This fundraiser was started by Monika Frazier to provide financial support for Kanani Frazier and Laʻakea C. Kamakawiwoʻole as they navigate this difficult time with their daughter Leiola being hospitalized. The funds raised through this effort will help to support their ʻohana as they focus their time and energy on Leiola’s health and well-being.



What Happened to Leiola?
 
Leiolaikealohaʻāina Kealaulakālaʻe Kamakawiwoʻole Frazier-Caravalho, the hiapo (eldest child) of the family, is an 11 year-old with a vibrant personality. She is a loving, and sometimes rough, big sister to her brothers Kahinuonālani and Kalīhau. Leiola loves listening to music, making slime, dancing and spending time at the beach.


The events that led to Leiola’s current health condition started on March 9th, 2021. Over a period of six days Leiola had progressively worse symptoms including impaired eyesight, difficulty with balance and hearing, and generally not feeling well. After a visit to the Hilo Medical Center emergency room, an ophthalmologist appointment, and multiple consultations with her pediatrician, Leiola was prescribed an antibiotic to treat a suspected infection. Within a couple of hours after taking the medication it was clear that Leiola was having an adverse reaction and needed medical attention. She was treated at the Hilo Medical Center emergency room and medevacked to Kapiʻolani Children’s Hospital.

It has been determined that Leiola has sepsis, which is a blood infection, that has affected her heart, lungs and possibly other organs. Her doctors are still trying to figure out the source of this infection. Leiola was placed on an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine, which uses an artificial lung and heart to supply oxygenated blood to your body when your lungs and heart cannot work well enough to support the rest of the body. This machine was doing all the work for Leiola’s heart and lungs to allow them to rest and heal. A head CT taken at Kapiʻolani Medical Center showed that Leiola had a stroke due to the lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain. The full extent of the damage caused by her stroke will not be known until she is well enough to come off of the life support.

We don’t know how long this healing process will take, so we are taking it one day at a time, focusing our positive thoughts and energy on Leiola, and celebrating the small victories that let us know that she is making progress in the right direction. Thankfully Kanani (mom) and Laʻa (dad) have been by Leiola’s side through this entire experience. Those who know Leiola know that her strength and bravery have enabled her to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. We continue to call on her strength and bravery as she undergoes this healing process.

Leiola is a Kapiʻolani Medical Center 2020 Wall of Hope Honoree  in recognition of her courage and perseverance throughout her lifelong battle with short bowel syndrome.


How can we support the ʻohana?

The Frazier-Caravalho ʻohana live in ʻŌlaʻa in the district of Puna on Hawaiʻi Island. Kanani and Laʻa are currently on Oʻahu at the hospital 24/7 to participate in Leiola’s recovery and make healthcare decisions on her behalf. While Kanani and Laʻa are on Oʻahu with Leiola, their two sons are being cared for by their grandparents back home. Kahinuonālani (7) attends Ke Kula o Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, and Kalīhau (2) attends Nā Liko Poli Makua. During this time Kanani and Laʻa have a minimal capacity to work, which adds an immense financial burden on the ʻohana. The funds raised through this effort will help to support the Frazier-Caravalho ʻohana as they focus their time and energy on Leiola’s health and well-being. These funds will allow them to pay their bills, cover travel costs, and provide additional support for child care.

Leiola and her ʻohana can use support in many different forms. If you are able to donate, you can help to ensure that Leiola’s ʻohana are able to dedicate all their time and energy to her health and well-being. If you are not able to donate, you can still participate in Leiola’s healing by sending your positive thoughts and energy, and by sharing this fundraiser with family and friends.

Kanani, Laʻa, and our entire ʻohana extend our most heartfelt mahalo to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Hilo Medical Center and Kapiʻolani Medical Center who have worked diligently to ensure the best medical care for Leiola. Mahalo to all who have prayed and sent positive thoughts for Leiola’s recovery and for our ʻohana to have the strength to provide her with all the love and support that she needs.