St. John’s in Eleʻele and St. Paul’s in Kekaha are hosting the “Wheels for Gia” benefit on historic Hanapēpē Main Street on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to Kauaʻi Now. Organizers aim to raise $32,000 toward an ADA-accessible wheelchair van.
Tiffany Wright of Kauaʻi Menehune Kitchen is organizing the fundraiser, with Laurie Hale and Kahu Kerry Joffrion volunteering, Kauaʻi Now reported. The outlet reported that the van is intended to help Gia-lynn Pacheco, 13, get around with greater independence.
Pacheco uses a wheelchair and is paralyzed from the waist down, with limited shoulder mobility, following a swimming accident in the Hanapēpē River in October 2025, according to Kauaʻi Now. An earlier report from the outlet said she hit her head on a rock after diving into the river, was treated at Wilcox Medical Center, and was then airlifted to Kapiolani Medical Center in Honolulu: Kauaʻi Now’s 2025 report. Its more recent account said gravel and uneven ground around her property make moving about difficult.
The Episcopal Church of West Kauaʻi identifies St. John’s in Eleʻele and St. Paul’s in Kekaha as its two worship spaces and Pacheco as a leader of its Children’s Choir, according to the church’s website. Kauaʻi Now also reported that both churches are hosting the benefit.
A GoFundMe campaign organized by Geraldine Carpenter on Terry Pacheco’s behalf sought help after the accident, including money for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, according to the campaign page. Hawaii News Now reported in October 2025 that the family was grateful for donations to the campaign, which had raised thousands of dollars at the time: Hawaii News Now.
Kauaʻi Bus accessibility
Hawaiʻi’s Disability and Communication Access Board says Kauaʻi County operates fixed-route and paratransit bus services and that all its buses are wheelchair accessible. That information establishes general accessibility, but does not identify particular bus features or how riders use them, or establish whether transit meets Gia’s household’s needs, according to the board.
