Plight sends police to kitchen
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Dozens of Honolulu police officers will do their best Betty Crocker impersonations today as they hold a fund-raiser for a La'ie man who was critically injured as he waved signs against drugs.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
They and many other volunteers will take part in a bake sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Sister Roberta Derby Park at the police Alapa'i headquarters on South Beretania Street.
Campbell High School student Teddy Lynne Atud was among the volunteers who helped bake for today's sale, part of a fund-raiser for a La'ie man who was critically injured as he waved signs against drugs.
Proceeds will help defray the mounting medical costs of Daniel Mapu, 22, who was taking part in an anti-drug sign-waving campaign Aug. 25 in Ka'a'awa when he was struck by two vehicles.
Officers have been busy baking cookies and other sweets for the event. Yesterday, students at Campbell High School in the Police Activities League spent their lunch break baking cookies for the sale.
Many officers who are spearheading today's drive were in the 1981 recruit class of Mapu's father, Simi, a police officer. Community groups also have gotten involved, and what started as a cookie and brownie sale has grown into a fund-raiser featuring entertainment and other food.
"When they heard that Simi's son had been hurt in an accident, and the circumstances leading to his injuries, it was a concern by the recruit class members to do something for a classmate," said police Lt. Alan Anami, who was Simi Mapu's sergeant in Kane'ohe.
"We ask members of the community to come over during their lunch break and help support this fund-raiser for Daniel Mapu."
Cookie caper
Officer Byron Beatty, one of Daniel Mapu's football coaches at Kahuku, said there are plans for other fund-raisers, including a cookbook and concert.
Meanwhile, Daniel Mapu, who was in a coma, continues to make progress at The Queen's Medical Center. On Wednesday, the Kahuku High School graduate sat up on his own for the first time since the accident while working with a physical therapist, then turned his head when the nurse called his name, his father said.
"To us, those are miracles that the Lord has blessed us with to continue to give us hope," Simi Mapu said. "We never gave up, and we'll never give up. We just thank people, especially our family and friends."
The family wants to move Daniel to Kahuku Hospital to be closer to home, but he must reach a certain level of recovery. He is working with a speech, physical and occupational therapist. On a scale of 5, he's at 3, said his father.
Advertiser staff writer Eloise Aguiar contributed to this report. Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8025.
