Big Brothers Big Sisters Lifetime Match Award – Our 38-Year Journey With BBBS

Receiving the Big Brothers Big Sisters Lifetime Match Award is a profound, humbling honor. But honestly, the real trophy isn’t something that sits on a shelf. It’s the absolute privilege of watching an 8-year-old kid grow into an incredible adult—and realizing my own life was forever changed in the process.

Our story actually has roots right here on Oʻahu back in the 1970s. My husband, Jay, was a Kaiser High School graduate who actually had a Big Brother in intermediate school. Fast forward to the mid-1980s: Jay and I moved to the mainland, and finding myself with some spare time, I decided to reach out to BBBS. That first experience completely hooked me.

When we finally moved back home to Hawaiʻi in 1988, I was officially matched with an energetic 8-year-old named Wayne.

Back then, the rules said you “graduated” from the program when your Little turned 18. So, Wayne and I were officially matched for a solid decade. Just because we graduated from the program didn’t stop us from continuing our connection. Ten years of being officially matched turned into an incredible 38-year lifelong bond (and it will continue!). Wayne didn’t just stay in touch, he became o’hana! 

Over nearly four decades, we’ve shared too many laughs, outings, and core memories to count. And along the way, I learned a funny little truth about mentoring:

When you first sign up to be a Big, you think you’re stepping in to change a child’s world. Then you get completely blindsided by the reality that they are changing yours.

Your Little will enlighten you just as much as you enlighten them. They keep you grounded, keep you laughing, and remind you of what really matters. Over thirty-eight years, I’ve realized that we all need mentors at every single stage of our lives—someone we trust to share a bit of sensible wisdom. As the saying goes, iron sharpens iron.

Today, Wayne is still my Little Brother… even though he is quite literally bigger than me now!

Right now on Oʻahu and across Hawaiʻi, there are children waiting for someone just like you. You don’t need to be a perfect superhero to change a life. You just have to show up, listen, and remind them of their potential. Taking that step is a conscious choice, and I promise you, it will easily be one of the best decisions you ever make.

Mahalo to Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, my husband Jay, and our wonderful village of family and friends who have cheered us on and have been part of our Big & Little journey. And most of all, thank you to Wayne, the best Little ever!

How You Can Change a Life Today

If our story brought a smile to your face, please consider supporting the next generation of Littles. Whether you have five minutes to donate or a few hours a month to mentor, you can make a massive impact right here in our community.

• Support Our Team: Click here to donate to “Team Kim & Wayne“
• Support the Mission: Click here to make a direct donation to BBBS Hawaiʻi
• Become a Mentor: You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be you. Click here to learn more about becoming a Big
• Explore BBBS: Discover more about how they unite communities at the BBBS Hawaiʻi Homepage