Community turns out to help man who needs liver transplant

LIHU‘E — Billy Terheggen needs a liver transplant, so his family, friends and Grove Farm Museum hosted a rummage and bake sale Saturday to help with the expenses.

“We had a fundraiser in November to help with some of his medical expenses, but now he needs a liver transplant,” said Moises Madayag, the museum’s curator. “These items are from his friends and family and the employees from the Grove Farm Museum. Billy has been the carpenter at the Grove Farm Museum for more than 20 years.”

Peggy Ewing already had several bags filled with items from the rummage and bake sale, but continued to offer help, reluctant to leave the site along Nawiliwili Road fronting the entrance to the museum.

“I think I’ve come the longest way. I’m from San Diego, but I’m staying in Princeville and came all the way in from there to help Billy. He and I went to high school together,” she said.

“I’ve come a long way for this, so whatever help I can help with, I’m going to do,” Ewing said.

Bonnie Lake, who helps at the museum, said Terheggen is a superior carpenter.

“He’s so good. When the lauhala mats needed repair, he took care of that,” she said. “There was an old tea house in the back which was run down and termite-riddled. He completely rebuilt that, even re-creating the railings. He does everything, and now he needs a new liver.”

Shannon Kaneholani, Terheggen’s daughter, said the family will go through the University of Washington for the liver transplant.

“They found cancer in his liver, and the treatment starts soon,” Kaneholani said. Family members and friends celebrated Terheggen’s 60th birthday with a big bash in November, she added.

“They just got back from about three weeks of testing and treatment in Washington, but before they do the transplant, they have to move to Washington,” she said.

• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.