Brothers, All-Stars and Ace ambassadors

Kapono and Duke Pavao, ages 9 and 5, of Lihue, Hawaii are stepping into their new roles as Ace Cares for Kids All-Stars. The Ace Hardware Foundation and Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children surprised the brothers at their elementary school assembly in front of friends, teachers, hospital staff, and family.

The brothers will become national ambassadors for the Ace Foundation, raising awareness for the work done at local Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals across the country. The Ace Cares for Kids program enables Ace stores to raise funds for their local CMN Hospital using Kapono and Duke’s faces and story as inspiration.

Kapono and Duke were selected following a nationwide campaign that gave every CMN Hospital an opportunity to nominate a deserving patient. Both Kapono and Duke Pavao were diagnosed with Severe Hemophilia A, a chronic bleeding disorder before the age of one. This is the first time two children have been selected for recognition in the program.

“We are excited to welcome brothers, Kapono and Duke, into the Ace All-Star family,” said Kane Calamari, president of the Ace Hardware Foundation. “Their story of brotherhood, strength, and living bravely through chronic illness inspires everyone they encounter and makes them the perfect choices for the 2018 All-Stars. Together, the Pavao family will use their story to raise awareness for CMN hospitals and generate funding to ensure their important work can continue to help children like Kapono and Duke.”

A $10,000 donation from Duracell will be made to Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children in honor of Kapono and Duke.

Over the past 26 years, the Ace Foundation has raised more than $93 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.