FRANKLYWNOW - 10-year-old boy who fell out of vehicle dies in Anchorage hospit

Haji Ulufanua-Mahe

A 10-year-old who fell out of a moving vehicle last weekend has died as a result of his injuries.

Emily Tyrrell, a close family friend, said Haji Ulufanua-Mahe passed away at Providence Medical Center Tuesday surrounded by friends and family.

Ulufanua-Mahe was a 5^th grader at the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School.

On Sunday, January 17^th, Anchorage Police reported a 10-year-old boy sustained a head injury after either jumping or falling from the outside of a moving vehicle at the 600 block of E. 22^nd Avenue. He was taken to the hospital in critical but stable condition. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

A memorial service and cultural celebration will be held on Saturday, January 30^th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2240 Baxter Road.

A GoFundMe page has been created to raise money for funeral expenses.

Haji Ulufanua-Mahe Obituary, submitted by Emily Tyrell:

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.

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.

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 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.

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