Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi Celebrates 30 Years of Her Nonprofit in Hawaii

Yamaguchi's Always Dream organization partners with five island schools to provide early literacy support.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi is celebrating the 30th anniversary of her nonprofit organization, Kristi Yamaguchi's Always Dream, which is currently partnering with five schools on Hawaii Island to provide early literacy support and resources to pre-K and kindergarten students and their families.

Why it matters

Yamaguchi's organization aims to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their circumstances. By focusing on early literacy and meeting families where they are, Always Dream is working to bridge the gap between classroom and at-home learning in underserved Hawaii Island communities.

The details

Through the Always Reading program, students and their caregivers receive access to high-quality children's books, literacy tools, and individualized coaching from local Book Coaches. The organization is currently partnering with Chiefess Kapi'olani Elementary, Kaumana Elementary, Ha'aheo Elementary, Pahoa Elementary, and Na'alehu Elementary, and plans to expand to Mountain View Elementary School next year.

  • Kristi Yamaguchi founded Always Dream in 1992, just four years after winning the gold medal at the Winter Olympics.
  • This year marks the 30th anniversary of Kristi Yamaguchi's Always Dream nonprofit organization.
  • In the 2025-26 school year, Always Dream is partnering with five schools on Hawaii Island.

The players

Kristi Yamaguchi

An Olympic gold medalist and the founder of the Kristi Yamaguchi's Always Dream nonprofit organization, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

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What they’re saying

“Hawaii has always been such an important part of who I am. Founding Always Dream was about giving children the support they deserve, and seeing that work take shape in communities across Hawaii Island means so much to me.”

— Kristi Yamaguchi (Press release)

What’s next

Always Dream plans to expand its partnership to Mountain View Elementary School next year, continuing its mission of providing early literacy support to underserved communities in Hawaii.

The takeaway

Kristi Yamaguchi's commitment to supporting Hawaii's keiki through her nonprofit organization, Always Dream, demonstrates the lasting impact that an Olympic champion can have on local communities. By focusing on early literacy and meeting families where they are, Always Dream is helping to ensure that every child in Hawaii has the opportunity to succeed.