Operation Cupcake Come Home!

For any one who knows Maile, they also know sheʻs someone you never have to really worry about. You know that whatever life throws her way, she will somehow come out ahead all whilst making jokes about the situation, having an infectiously positive attitude and looking at is as simply another opportunity to grow. The past two years, sheʻs had plenty of curve balls thrown her way.

In October of 2021, Maile had to leave her whole life behind to ensure the safety of herself and her daughter, Keliko. She left behind her students, her community, her ʻāina and her home only bringing one suitcase and her dog, Louie. She spent the year saving and building a new life surrounded by friends and family in Southern California. Meanwhile she continued to fly back home to Hawaiʻi every month to uphold the commitment she made to her hula students while supplementing their learning with weekly Zoom classes. She saved money while living with her sister and finally had enough to start her dream of buying and converting a cargo van to eventually be their new home on wheels and host to all of Maile, Keliko, and Louieʻs future adventures.

On February 18, 2023 Maile began making that dream a reality. After months of looking at vans and researching endlessly she bought a used 2015 Ford Transit 250 medium roof. Keliko named it Cupcake. She was ecstatic! The very next day she started working on the van. She began gutting it, cleaning it, soundproofing it, insulating it, etc. If it wasn’t raining, Maile and Keliko were in that van all day working and documenting every day's progress. 35 days after purchasing Maile had taught herself and executed installing subfloors and wood floors, framed and began putting up her walls, prewired an entire DC and AC system, installed a Maxxair Vent Fan, and installed 400 watts of solar panels on the roof. She was so nervous to connect her system but on day 36 SHE DID IT! She completely set up her entire off-grid electrical system equipt with a 200ah lithium battery and 2000 watt inverter! She was so excited that she continued working through the evening to install her beautiful Japanese cedar slatted ceiling with 8 functioning LED puck lights. She was so proud of her accomplishment. The next morning, that excitement turned to horror as she walked outside and her van was gone. Her wallet and a few other valuables from her car which was parked right behind the van had also been stolen and her two credit cards were maxed out.

Did I mention, she’s is also completed all of this 6 months pregnant carrying a baby for a friend as a surrogate?!

This van build was more than a project. This was Maileʻs dream. It was her way to show her daughter Keliko that you can do ANYTHING and to always keep moving forward no matter what life throws at you. I know that Maile will come out of this as she always does but if you have ever been inspired or loved by Maile, please consider making a donation to recover all of what she has put into this van build thus far as well as the gap her insurance is covering on her loan.