Maui man takes home $260,000 TV jackpot

By Gary T. Kubota
WAILUKU » Maui resident Brad Falcon, who won $260,000 on NBC's "Deal or No Deal" on Wednesday night, said he plans to use some of the money to start a nonprofit humanitarian organization and help his parents pay off their medical bills.

Falcon, 37, who works as a remodeler, said he also wants to take his wife and children on a vacation to Greece.

"She's always wanted to go to Greece," said Falcon, the father of three children.

Falcon said the money comes in time for him to also buy furnishings for his new home in Waikapu.

He said he and his family are still amazed about his good fortune.

"We're just having this dream," he said.

Falcon said his mother, Donna Swayne of Oahu, has been working to support herself and his father, Roger, who suffered a stroke.

He said he feels blessed to be able to help them out financially.

Falcon said he plans to start a nonprofit called Hawaii Matters that helps families going through tragedy.

Falcon said the road to winning was a long one and started in early March, when he made a video about himself and filled out an 11-page application to be on "Deal or No Deal."

He said he went through numerous interviews for about seven months before being selected as a contestant.

To give him moral support, the producers flew in his family, including his parents and sister, Tisha Lehfeldt, and her husband, Jason, of Oahu.

"I believe dreams can come true, but you've got to make them happen," he said.