Hawaii's Ronald McDonald House 1987

It all started in 1982, when a group of concerned citizens began work to open a Ronald McDonald House in Hawaii. The group was composed of parents of previously hospitalized children, medical personnel, business people, representatives of the Junior League of Honolulu, the March of Dimes, and the hospital Auxiliary of KMCWC. Based on their personal experiences and the testimony of nurses and social workers, there was an overwhelming need in Hawaii for an affordable, temporary “home-away-from-home” for the families of children hospitalized with serious life-threatening illnesses. Based on this need, the capital campaign for the project was hugely successful.

The idea of a home for families of hospitalized children originated in 1973 in Pennsylvania when Fred Hill, a member of the Philadelphia Eagles football team, learned that his young daughter, Kim, had Leukemia. Through his and his team’s efforts, and working together with many members of the community and local McDonald’s® Restaurants, funds were raised and a House was opened in Philadelphia. The tremendous value and success of this first House sparked interest throughout the entire country and abroad, and the McDonald’s Corporation continued to be a major sponsor, helping support both the construction of new Houses and their ongoing expenses. It is to recognize this contribution that these Houses have taken the name of Ronald McDonald® for the positive, helpful and fun-loving feeling that he inspires in children.