HONOKAA — Aukai Ahuna was just days away from his 16th birthday when a Monday motorcycle crash in Honokaa cut his life short.
HONOKAA — Aukai Ahuna was just days away from his 16th birthday when a Monday motorcycle crash 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 and music and he was there for his friends or anyone who needed someone to listen.
In a written statement, police said officers responded at about 3 p.m. Monday to Ohia and Pikake streets.
The teen was riding a Suzuki dirt bike north on Pikake Street and reportedly lost control of the motorcycle, causing him to be thrown. He then was hit by a driver in 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 statement says.
Grief counselors were available to students at Honokaa High all day 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 also was part of the leadership class.
“I’m really saddened and it’s really hard,” the principal said. “We’re going to miss him.”
Honokaa High athletic director Keith Tolentino knew Aukai since the teen was 6 years old. He said Aukai 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 that Aukai knew a lot of 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 initiated a negligent homicide investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Officer Casey Cabral at 961-8889.
This is the 10th official traffic fatality this year, the same as this time last year.
Email Tiffany DeMasters at tdemasters@westhawaiitoday.com.