<‘IOLANI NEWS> Challenge!!, Lower School Awards

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Hurrah for Konner Sato ’24 and Travis Muraoka ‘09

Many of you - especially in Lower School - have been extremely concerned about and supportive of sixth grader Konner Sato ‘24 and his family this past school year as he experienced a severe health challenge. Your thoughtful deeds of care and aloha are prime examples of our One Team ethos in action. Please allow me to share with their permission some very good news.

For the sake of providing some background: On October 25, last year, during the sixth-grade PE class biathlon, Lower School Dean, Linda Look, noticed that Konner appeared more fatigued than usual and that his hands were purple. She immediately sent him to the infirmary. From there, he was taken by ambulance to Queen’s Medical Center and admitted for observation and tests. In late November, he was transferred to Seattle Children’s Hospital where doctors diagnosed him with a rare and serious liver condition that would require him to receive a liver transplant. Konner and his family then moved to the Ronald McDonald House in Seattle where they could stay until a liver was found.

Support and prayers from the ‘Iolani student, parent and alumni communities poured in as the Satos received dozens upon dozens of letters and messages from Hawaii and across the country. The sixth graders wrote and skyped with Konner several times, cheering him up and letting him know that, even though, he wasn’t in school, he was constantly on their minds and in their prayers. Meanwhile, Konner was on the long waiting list for a liver and tests were being conducted amongst family members for the possibility of a live liver match.

Fortunately, Konner’s cousin, Travis Muraoka, was a match. Travis is a member of ‘Iolani’s Class of 2009 and a physical therapist living in Tacoma, Washington. Travis had been visiting Konnor since the beginning of Konnor’s stay in Seattle. On April 18, doctors removed one-third of Travis’s liver and transplanted it into Konner. The transplant was a success and now Konner is back at the Ronald McDonald House and has begun his 100 days of recovery. Travis is also recovering well and will return to work in a month. Linda Look spoke with Konner recently. A wise sixth grader, he told her: ““When everything is looking down, baby steps are the key to success.”

Konner’s family is deeply grateful to the ‘Iolani community. His dad, Kelvin, is a member of the Class of ‘81 and Konner’s brother, Jordan, is an ‘Iolani eighth grader. Mom Heidi has been a longtime active member of the ‘Iolani community as well. According to the family, Konnor should be discharged from the hospital this week and will return to Seattle's Ronald McDonald House until he can travel back to Hawaii in the summer. Konner recently received a Raider Award and will also be recognized with all members of the Class of 2024 at the Sixth Grade Moving Up Ceremony on May 31. His classmates would not have it any other way. Thank you all for the many ways you have supported and prayed for Konner.

Lower School Raider Awards

Raider Awards are given out each quarter to a student from each homeroom in grades four, five and six. The recipient is honored by his/her peers for exemplifying ‘Iolani School's "One Team" philosophy, which includes respect for others, responsibility, problem solving skills, school pride and outstanding sportsmanship.