Leave share, GoFundMe campaigns have been set up
Posted: March 6, 2026
A teacher at Holomua Elementary, who has spent a decade teaching keiki and serving fellow members of the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association in its Leeward Chapter, needs our help. Kelli Kaanaanaʻs four-year-old son Rextyn has been diagnosed with a rare and extremely aggressive form of brain cancer.
Rextyn, who goes by Rex, has been in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women and Children for several weeks while doctors closely monitor him and continue his treatment. They have begun intensive chemotherapy in hopes of shrinking tumors in his brain and spine.
“Rextyn is the youngest of five siblings and brings endless energy and joy to everyone around him,” said Christine Russo, who teaches at Campbell High and started a GoFundMe campaign for Kaanaana and her family.
“He loves being outdoors, whether it’s playing at the field, running around the playground, or riding his bike. Rextyn especially enjoys spending time with friends, exploring, and making the most of every day,” Russo added.
“Despite the many challenges, Rextyn continues to show small signs of strength — resting, responding to touch, making small movements, and fighting through each step of treatment,” Russo said.
Kaanaana has been an active and respected leader in Leeward Chapter, HSTA’s largest chapter. She currently serves on HSTA’s Board of Directors and has held several union leadership roles in recent years, including head faculty representative and grievance representative.
Sarah “Mili’ Milianta-Laffin, president of HSTA’s Leeward Chapter, said, “If you’ve been to an HSTA Leeward Chapter event in the last decade, Kelli used her organizational magic to make it happen. She has a huge heart for helping teachers, and we’re lucky to have her in our chapter.”
“I tell her all the time that she’s ‘mom goals’ because she’s shown me how you can prioritize your family, and continue to show up for what you care about. Her babies have grown up at our chapter meetings, and it’s been a delight to watch,” Milianta-Laffin said.
“As Kelli has always taken care of us, I hope these GoFundMe and leave share efforts are a way we can love on her, and return the favor to her ʻohana,” Milianta-Laffin added.
If you are willing and able, any classified or certificated HIDOE staff member may directly share up to 10 days of vacation or sick leave to support Kaanaana’s family during this time. Charter school employees are not able to donate leave.
To donate leave, please complete the attached Leave Sharing – Donation Form and return it to Renee Whitaker, at renee.whitaker@k12.hi.us.