HONOKAA — Aukai Ahuna was days away from his 16th birthday when a single-vehicle crash on Monday in Honokaa cut his life short.
HONOKAA — Aukai Ahuna was days away from his 16th birthday when a single-vehicle crash on Monday in Honokaa cut his life short.
“He had everything going for him,” said the teen’s father Keoki Ahuna. “He was a good athlete. He was a good musician. He did what some adults never accomplish in a lifetime.”
On Tuesday, the Honokaa community was left stunned, silent and heartbroken at the loss of Aukai, a sophomore at Honokaa High School. Friends and family spent the day visiting a memorial set up at the site of the fatal crash.
Aukai’s father was one of those visitors.
“He was my oldest son,” Ahuna said quietly. “He was everything to me.”
Friends at the memorial said Aukai was always smiling. One girl said he loved sports, music and he was there for his friends or anyone who needed someone to listen.
On Monday, crews responded to the scene at Ohia and Pikake streets at about 3 p.m.
Aukai was traveling north on Pikake Street on a Suzuki dirt bike, according to a press release from the Hawaii Police Department. As he approached the Ohia Street intersection, the teen lost control of the motorcycle causing him to be thrown.
Aukai was then hit by a motorist driving a 2006 Ford truck.
The teen was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:51 p.m. Aukai was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and speed appears to be a factor in the investigation, the release states.
Grief counselors were available to students at Honokaa High all day on Tuesday. Principal Rachelle Matsumura said she knew Aukai since he was in elementary school.
“He was a great student – an all-around good guy,” Matsumura said.
Matsumura said Aukai played basketball and football. He was also part of the leadership class.
“I’m really saddened and it’s really hard,” the principal said. “We’re going to miss him.”
Keith Tolentino, athletic director at Honokaa High, knew Aukai since he was 6 years old. He said the teen had great athletic ability. He could play anything.
“He’s the type of kid to come up to you, shake your hand and tell you ‘hello,’” Tolentino said.
Tolentino added Aukai knew a lot kids and everybody loved him.
“I was just crushed when I found out. I’m still in shock,” he said.
Aukai would’ve been 16 on May 12.
Police have initiated a negligent homicide investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Officer Casey Cabral at 961-8889.
This is the 10th traffic fatality this year, compared to 10 at this time last year.