A potentially fatal heart condition has a Lahaina father counting his blessings.
Friends and family say Kalolo Faiva has a heart of gold but this devoted husband and father's heart is failing.
"He's been in the ICU for about a week now," said girlfriend Tiffany Tanaka.
The 23 year-old was who at the age of 17 had his first heart surgery has recently been diagnosed with diastolic heart failure and will likely need major heart valve replacements or a heart transplant.
"Both of his heart valves are leaking now," said Tanaka. "Its just very hard, its stressful on me, on the kids, on the family."
The Lahainaluna High School graduate who worked as a Maui beach activities representative up until a month ago was supposed to fly to Stanford Hospital in California on Monday but the emergency trip hit a snag when family members were told insurance wouldn't pay the $50,000 to fly him via air ambulance.
"And with his condition, its critical we just wanna get him there as soon as possible," said Tanaka.
Both Kalolo and his girlfriend are not working so friends and family started fundraising over the weekend. Incredibly they raised all the money they needed for the flight but sadly more bad news was on its way.
"When we did have the money they said there were no beds open," said Tanaka.
Now Kalolo must wait it out until the hospital has an opening for him.
"I just think about my girls that's who I am fighting for," said Kalolo Faiva.
Doctors say Kalolo's best chance for survival is to go to California. They don't know how long he will be there or how much it will cost but he says he is grateful for the support from friends and family here in Hawaii.
"Its definitely great people that are helping me out," said Faiva.
This holiday Kalolo is asking for best wishes and prayers. If you'd like to make a monetary donation an account has been set up in his name at American Savings Bank.
