Posted on: Sunday, November 21, 2004

Kahuku benefit raises $14,000

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

More than 500 people attended a benefit concert yesterday to defray medical expenses for Daniel Mapu, a former Kahuku High School football star who was struck by two vehicles 15 months ago while waving anti-drug signs on Kamehameha Highway.

"It went wonderfully," concert organizer and family friend Bobby Akoi said of the event at Turtle Bay Resort. "It was just so heartwarming, from beginning to end."

The concert raised $14,000, he said.

Mapu, 23, has been hospitalized since the Aug. 25, 2003, tragedy. He suffered serious head injuries and has battled to regain speech and use of his limbs.

Sitting in a wheelchair, sometimes smiling and sometimes closing his eyes as though to listen, Mapu attended the concert.

Akoi said that although the family gets some assistance from Medicaid, Mapu's lengthy stay at Kahuku Hospital has been so expensive that the medical bills have reached six figures.

"This was just a chance for Daniel's friends to do something for him," Akoi said.

Several bands, including Cecilio & Kapono, Hoonua, Three Plus, Vaihi, Poa and Rootz Rockas performed for free, Akoi said.

Local 5 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union has led a boycott of Turtle Bay for more than a year, but agreed to suspend the action for the night.

Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.