Hajime Ulufanua-Mahe

2005 - 2016

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. To many, Haji's life would seem too short, but those who were touched by him understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. 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 was an organ donor. He had a strong heart, liver and kidneys. 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. A memorial service and cultural celebration will be held on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 2240 Baxter Road in Anchorage. His body will then be cremated and his ashes will be taken to his final resting place on Tutuila Island, Auto Village, Pago Pago, American Samoa. Funeral service and celebration details are as follows: 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. viewing, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. remembrance ceremony - all welcome to attend and share, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. funeral service and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. cultural celebration potluck. If you would like to donate to the family in Haji's memory, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/ebkf8k9g. Please also consider visiting www.JustServe.org and select a service project in honor of Haji's community service spirit.