Empowering Lifesavers: Hawaiʻi Heart Foundation was established with the mission to improve the cardiac arrest survival rates in Hawaii. As a part of this foundation a program based on an innovative, age-appropriate, reality-based, technology-rich approach to teaching lifesaving CPR and AED use in schools has been designed to help turn the sudden cardiac arrest (death) statistics upside down!

    On May 27, 2009, at the age of 28, Kristin Maekawa Claudi experienced a Sudden Cardiac Arrest at a local elementary school during a teachers' meeting. None of the staff members in the meeting knew what was happening or how to help her. By the time paramedics had arrived, there was nothing they could. Kristin had passed away. Kristin is remembered for loving Italy and everything Italian. She loved her husband, her family, her students, and rainbows. She delighted in everything life had to offer. As a special needs teacher, Kristin enlightened her students with love, understanding, and passion. In return they adored her and she is still greatly missed by everyone who knew her.