In Fond Memory of Michael B. Wood

Michael “Mike” Wood was guided by a deep love for children and a belief that, even in moments of crisis, they deserve to be met with care, dignity, and compassion. He understood that when a child’s world is suddenly turned upside down, what matters most is having a place where they are safe, supported, and reminded they are not alone.

That belief is what led Mike to help build and provide ongoing support to Ho‘omalu o Nā Kamali‘i, our receiving home for children in foster care. For him, Ho‘omalu was never just a shelter. It was a promise; a place children would be welcomed with warmth, that siblings would be kept together whenever possible, and that care would be consistent, steady, and present, even on the hardest days.

Since its founding, Ho‘omalu has cared for 1,877 children, each one arriving with their own fears, needs, and hopes. Mike’s vision lives on in the everyday moments of care that happen there and in the way children are fed, comforted, protected, and lifted up when they need it most.

For Mike, this is what mattered. Not recognition or numbers, but knowing that children felt cared for, valued, and safe. His legacy is felt in quiet, powerful ways — in the trust children place in those who care for them, and in the sense of hope that carries them forward.

We remember Mike with deep gratitude and aloha. And we honor his legacy by continuing the work he believed in so deeply; ensuring children are safe, supported, and surrounded by care when they need it most.