UCF senior tackle Lokahi Pauole may be thousands of miles from his home in Hawaii, but the deadly wildfires that have ravaged part of his state haven’t been far from his mind.
“My initial thoughts when I first saw the whole thing going on, it’s just a really sad day for the Hawaiian Islands and a sad day for the country,” Pauole said following the Knights’ second scrimmage Saturday.
The wildfires on Hawaii’s Maui island have killed at least 80 people and forced thousands of residents and tourists to evacuate. The disaster claimed the historic resort city of Lahaina. The Big Island of Hawaii has also been impacted by wildfires as well.
“In Hawaii, we’re all a family. Ohana is a real thing and even though I’m from O’ahu and I don’t have any immediate family there in Maui, you’re connected somehow,” said Pauole. “Prayers out to them. I’m praying for them every day, reaching out to who I can reach out to.”
Pauole, who grew up in Kapolei on O’ahu, donated some money he received for name, image and likeness deals to the Maui community through the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund.
“I appreciate everyone who has been reaching out to me means a lot,” he said. “If there’s anything I can say, it’s if you guys have it and if you’ve visited Hawaii before, ‘Don’t be afraid to donate. Don’t be afraid to help, especially in this trying time.’ ”
Email Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @osmattmurschel.
