Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in sports and lose some of the reality of what is important in life. It also sometimes takes tragedies like the wildfires affecting Maui, Hawaii, to get us back to reality and remember what is important.
On Tuesday, during a UCF post-practice availability, UCF offensive lineman Lokahi Pauole, a native of Kapolei, noted that has donated a portion of NIL money to the wildfire relief.
“My initial thoughts when I first saw the whole thing going around, it’s just a really sad day for the Hawaiian Island, a sad day for the country. It’s a tourist destination, a spot where everyone loves to visit,” he said during the post-practice media availability. “I donated back to help out Maui’s community. I took some of my NIL money and donated it back to them. I just feel like in Hawaii, we’re all a family. Ohana is a real thing. Even though I’m from O’ahu, I don’t have any immediate family over there in Maui, you’re connected somehow. Prayers out to them. Praying for them every day.”
Pauole is one of two players on UCF’s roster who calls Hawaii home. Fellow offensive lineman Bula Schmidt is a native of Wahiawa, Hawaii, which is located on the island of Oahu.
The wildfires on Maui have caused an indescribable catastrophe, which has now included 106 losses of life, a number that is expected to continue to rise in the upcoming days, with many unaccounted for. The entire historic town of Lahaina was also completely destroyed in the process. Notably, when it comes to college athletics, Lahaina is the home of the Maui Invitational college basketball tournament. The wildfire is also now the deadliest natural disaster in modern Hawaiian history and forever changed the island of Maui.
On the gridiron, Pauole will be an integral part of UCF’s offensive line this upcoming season. Over the last three years, the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Hawaiin has played in all 37 games for the Knights, including making 35 starts. Last season, he was an All-AAC selection by the league coaches while earning All-AAC honors from Phil Steele, Pro Football Focus, and the Pro Football Network. Now, with UCF in the Big 12, he’ll look to prove himself to be a Power Five offensive lineman.