PHOTOS: Small Town of Hāna Mourns Loss of Teen

Isaiah Pu-Akima, GameDay Photography, by Rodney S. Yap.

By Wendy Osher

The small town of Hāna on Maui is mourning the loss of a 17-year-old resident, who suffered fatal injuries in a fiery crash on Thursday, April 24, along the Hāna Highway.

While the police have yet to release the identity of the victim, other media outlets confirmed the teen’s identity, and those who knew him identified the victim as Isaiah Pu-Akima.

Pu-Akima, who was just weeks away from graduation from Hāna High and Elementary School, will be honored tonight (Friday, April 25, 2014) during a special Senior Night tribute at a home volleyball game in East Maui, School Principal Richard Paul said in a telephone interview this afternoon.

According to Paul, Pu-Akima was the only senior from Hāna High School on the team; although there is another senior from Hawaii Technology Academy charter school that plays as well.  Both will be featured in a slide show and video presentation during tonight’s event.

According to Paul, the 6:30 p.m. volleyball game against Seabury Hall was already scheduled to be heavily attended because of the scope of the game, but he said additional family and friends may also be in attendance.

In addition to volleyball, Pu-Akima was also a standout athlete on the Hāna High and Elementary School football team.

Photo courtesy Jo-Lei Redo.

Photo courtesy Jo-Lei Redo.

Photo courtesy Jo-Lei Redo.

Photo courtesy Jo-Lei Redo.

Photo courtesy Jo-Lei Redo.

Photo courtesy Jo-Lei Redo.

Photo courtesy Jo-Lei Redo.

Photo courtesy Jo-Lei Redo.

Isaiah Pu-Akima, GameDay Photography, by Rodney S. Yap.