The Waimanalo community is mourning the death of Fullerton “Hopena” Pokipala, a 30-year-old entrepreneur, longshoreman, and former political candidate who died following a utility task vehicle (UTV) crash on Saturday night.
According to police, Pokipala was driving a UTV northbound on Hihimanu Street around 8 p.m. when he failed to stop at a posted stop sign at the Kalanianaole Highway intersection. He collided with a vehicle driven by a 74-year-old motorist, causing the UTV to roll over. Pokipala was ejected from the vehicle and later died from his injuries at a hospital.
Pokipala was remembered by loved ones as a pillar of the community. “Hopena was an ambassador of aloha,” said his uncle, Clif Botelho. “Just the epitome of love and aloha, would give his shirt off his back… to make the world a better place. I’m at a loss. My ohana is at a loss.”
A graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Pokipala was a man of many talents. He recently married former Miss Hawaii and Miss Hawaii USA, Allie Chu, and the two co-founded a successful business, Oysters Hawaii. A Kaohao native, he was also an aspiring politician who ran for a state House seat last year.
“He was such a young man with so much potential,” Botelho said. “He was and is a light, a beacon.”
His death sent shockwaves through his professional communities. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union issued a statement, remembering him as “a true light in our lives.” The union added, “He lived fully, loved deeply, and brought joy to every moment. Hopena was the best of us, and his impact will never be forgotten.”
He and his wife were planning a formal wedding reception for March. “We can find whatever type of peace, knowing at least Hopena was able to marry the love of his life,” Botelho shared.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Pokipala’s great passion was the ocean, where he was an avid paddler and surfer known for tackling large waves. “He was a thrill-seeker,” Botelho recalled.
In the wake of the tragedy, a memorial of lei and flowers has been created at the crash site, where friends and family have gathered to pay their respects.
The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled Pokipala’s death an accident. His passing marks the 62nd traffic fatality on Oahu this year, more than double the number recorded at the same time last year.
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