GIRL BATTLING ILLNESS TO HAVE HAWAIIAN WISH FULFILLED.

Byline: Gloria Gonzales Daily News Staff Writer

The countdown has begun. In four days, 10-year-old Kristin Gregg will be swimming with the dolphins in Honolulu.

``I'm packing my bathing suit, my sunscreen and my shorts . . . making sure I have all the right stuff,'' said Kristin, who will board a flight from LAX bound for Honolulu this morning. ``I can't wait to see how their skin feels, and how they act with people in the water. I've been doing pretty well and feeling especially healthy lately, too.''

Swimming with the dolphins is a dream of Kristin's, a dream fulfilled Wednesday through the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties.

Each year, foundation chapters fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses, in Southern California and across the nation.

A wish is a child's personal, heartfelt answer to the question, ``If you could have anything in the world, go anywhere, do anything . . . what would you choose?'' according to foundation spokeswoman Shanna Taylor. Taylor noted that volunteers have seen children's spirits lifted when their wishes are granted, and a wish granted can encourage a child to fight for the future when courage and hope are flagging.

Kristin's mother, Debbie Gregg, said having Kristin's wish fulfilled will make the sick child's everyday battles against cystic fibrosis more bearable. In cystic fibrosis, the body overproduces mucous secretions that literally plug up vital organs, including the lungs, pancreas and liver. The disease is fatal, and those suffering from severe cases usually do not survive long past adolescence.

For Kristin, the disease means dietary restrictions and recurring respiratory illnesses that increase in severity with each bout.

``It's a wonderful relief for her, because she has to deal with so many hardships on a daily basis,'' Debbie Gregg said. ``It lifts not only her spirits but everybody else's in the family, too. A trip like this can help convince a sick child that it's worth fighting again.''

Kristin's mother and father, Debbie and Michael Gregg, and her two teen-age brothers will join the home-schooled fifth-grader on the weeklong trip.

Kristin said Friday that though the prospect of snorkeling excursions, submarine rides and luaus all excited her, she is most enthusiastic about swimming with the dolphins.

``I've always thought dolphins were cute, and I was interested in how they made noises to communicate with each other,'' she said. ``I'm also interested in their human features - they're mammals and they're so smart.''

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is supported entirely by private donations. Eighty-nine cents of every dollar is used for program services. In order to grant wishes, the foundation relies on in-kind gifts, as well as monetary donations from individuals, clubs and corporations. Volunteer efforts also support the foundation.

Donors can contribute cash, in-kind gifts, care and airline frequent flier miles. For more information, call the foundation at [phone]. Donations can be sent to Make-A-Wish, 4141 State Street, Suite C3, Santa Barbara, CA 93110.