In Memory of Haji
Donation protected
Kind, courageous, fun-loving, fearless, honorable, athletic, jokester, daredevil, genuine, honest, soft hearted and loved, Hajime (Haji) LopaAulo Tuipelehake Ulufanua–Mahe, 10, passed away on Jan. 19, 2016, in Anchorage, Alaska, at Providence Medical Center with his family and friends by his side.
We, who are fortunate enough to have had someone such as Haji in our lives, have set up this page in order to help alleviate some of the incredible financial burden that suddenly befell his parents, Afa and Kaneyo.
A vibrant fifth grader at the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School, Haji was a follower of Christ and an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He spent his free time going to church, spending time with family, and giving back to the community through programs and events such as the Children’s Lunchbox, Alaska Native and Native American pow-wows and celebrations, and Police Navidad. Haji loved to share his love for Polynesian dancing at community events.
Outside of community service projects, Cultural family activities and school, Haji was obsessed with playing sports, especially basketball and football. Haji was super excited to play basketball for Begich Middle School Snow Leopards. His number one favorite player was Stephen Curry from the Golden State Warriors.
To many, Haji’s life would seem too short, but those who were touched by him understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. The youngest of eight siblings, Haji was known as the jokester of the family. His parents and siblings will always remember laughing at his jokes because they literally never made any sense. His aunties and uncles will always remember his loving hugs and how he always tried to scare them. His school friends remember how he would always stand up for kids getting picked on at the playground. Haji truly loved life and insisted on enjoying it.
With Haji’s passing we remind others that his life is one to be celebrated. Although we will miss him and his heart-warming smile every day, he will forever remain in our hearts. Haji was an organ donor. He had a strong heart, liver and kidneys.
Haji is survived by his loving parents, Afa Ulufanua-Mahe and Limala’u Kaneyo Hirata, and seven siblings: Tafilele, Paula, Vilai, Maria, Cynthia, Vaeja ‘Hada’, and Peter.
As shown by the outcry of support following the news of his untimely passing, it has become evident that despite having only been on this earth for only 10 years, Haji had a huge impact on so many people. As a result, we feel that we should do all that we can to honor and celebrate his life as he deserves: With a beautiful service surrounded by all those he loved.
Currently, the plan is to have Haji's funeral on Saturday, January 30, 2016, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 2240 Baxter Road. His body will then be cremated, and his ashes will be taken to his final resting place on Tutuila Island, Auto Village, Pago Pago, American Samoa. Funeral service and celebration details are as follows:
8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Viewing
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Remembrance Ceremony – All welcome to attend and share
12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Funeral Service
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Cultural Celebration Potluck
Our goal is to raise $25,000 to help allieviate funeral and hospital costs while raising enough money to fly Haji back home. We are incredibly grateful for any donation you can make - $25,000 is a large goal, but is necessary to cover all the costs for the funeral to honor Haji appropriately. Together we can make this happen - whether it's 500 people donating $50 each, 1000 people donating $20 each, or friends and families pulling together to donate larger amounts to help us reach our goal. Again, any support is welcome and greatly appreciated.
Please be sure to note if you want your donation to be anonymous. We want to say thank you to everyone who donates, but respect that not everyone may want to be mentioned. If you'd like to remain, please simply enter "Anonymous "in the name field.
Fa'afetai; Fa'afetai tele, thank you very much, for your support.
Emily
We, who are fortunate enough to have had someone such as Haji in our lives, have set up this page in order to help alleviate some of the incredible financial burden that suddenly befell his parents, Afa and Kaneyo.
A vibrant fifth grader at the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School, Haji was a follower of Christ and an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He spent his free time going to church, spending time with family, and giving back to the community through programs and events such as the Children’s Lunchbox, Alaska Native and Native American pow-wows and celebrations, and Police Navidad. Haji loved to share his love for Polynesian dancing at community events.
Outside of community service projects, Cultural family activities and school, Haji was obsessed with playing sports, especially basketball and football. Haji was super excited to play basketball for Begich Middle School Snow Leopards. His number one favorite player was Stephen Curry from the Golden State Warriors.
To many, Haji’s life would seem too short, but those who were touched by him understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. The youngest of eight siblings, Haji was known as the jokester of the family. His parents and siblings will always remember laughing at his jokes because they literally never made any sense. His aunties and uncles will always remember his loving hugs and how he always tried to scare them. His school friends remember how he would always stand up for kids getting picked on at the playground. Haji truly loved life and insisted on enjoying it.
With Haji’s passing we remind others that his life is one to be celebrated. Although we will miss him and his heart-warming smile every day, he will forever remain in our hearts. Haji was an organ donor. He had a strong heart, liver and kidneys.
Haji is survived by his loving parents, Afa Ulufanua-Mahe and Limala’u Kaneyo Hirata, and seven siblings: Tafilele, Paula, Vilai, Maria, Cynthia, Vaeja ‘Hada’, and Peter.
As shown by the outcry of support following the news of his untimely passing, it has become evident that despite having only been on this earth for only 10 years, Haji had a huge impact on so many people. As a result, we feel that we should do all that we can to honor and celebrate his life as he deserves: With a beautiful service surrounded by all those he loved.
Currently, the plan is to have Haji's funeral on Saturday, January 30, 2016, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 2240 Baxter Road. His body will then be cremated, and his ashes will be taken to his final resting place on Tutuila Island, Auto Village, Pago Pago, American Samoa. Funeral service and celebration details are as follows:
8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Viewing
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Remembrance Ceremony – All welcome to attend and share
12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Funeral Service
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Cultural Celebration Potluck
Our goal is to raise $25,000 to help allieviate funeral and hospital costs while raising enough money to fly Haji back home. We are incredibly grateful for any donation you can make - $25,000 is a large goal, but is necessary to cover all the costs for the funeral to honor Haji appropriately. Together we can make this happen - whether it's 500 people donating $50 each, 1000 people donating $20 each, or friends and families pulling together to donate larger amounts to help us reach our goal. Again, any support is welcome and greatly appreciated.
Please be sure to note if you want your donation to be anonymous. We want to say thank you to everyone who donates, but respect that not everyone may want to be mentioned. If you'd like to remain, please simply enter "Anonymous "in the name field.
Fa'afetai; Fa'afetai tele, thank you very much, for your support.
Emily
Organizer and beneficiary
Emily Tyrrell
Organizer
Anchorage, AK
Kaneyo Hirata
Beneficiary
