What happened to Hopena Pokipala? Hawaii actress Allison Chu’s fiance and Tahitian paddle shaper reportedly passes away

Hopena Pokipala, the fiancé of Hawaii actress Allison Chu, died in a crash in Waimanalo, Hawaii, on the night of September 20, 2025.

According to Hawaii News Now, Pokipala was driving a utility task vehicle (UTV) on Hihimanu Street when it collided with another car, resulting in his death. The accident took place around 8 pm after he ran a stop sign.

The collision caused his vehicle to roll over and he was thrown from his UTV. Pokipala was rushed to the hospital in critical condition where he succumbed to his injuries.

Born and raised in Kailua, Hawaii, Hopena Pokipala was a Tahitian canoe paddler, entrepreneur, and community member from Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii. He recently got engaged to Allison Chu in December 2024.

Here is what we know.

All you need to know about Hopena Pokipala

Hopena Pokipala was of Tahitian heritage. According to his official website, he was a member of a blue-collar workforce and a small-business owner of Oysters Hawaiʻi. He worked as a full-time longshoreman for Hawaiʻi Stevedores Inc.

Growing up, he lived in a multicultural household. Pokipala stayed with his mom, grandma, aunties, uncles, and cousins, all under one roof. He went to Kamehameha Kapālama High School, and continued his higher studies at the International Business and Marketing program at the Shidler School of Business at UH Mānoa, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree.

Tributes have been pouring in for Hopena Pokipala since his demise. His friend, Keanu Cazimero, took to his Facebook account to share a post. He wrote:

“Hopena Pokipala. Rest in peace my brother. You were taken way too soon from us. Fck brah. I literally just saw you and shook your hand two weeks ago at the beach. I’m so sorry Alie. I am praying for you with every fiber in my body from the SJV days in Kailua to Sandy’s sessions. You did what you could in life bro. Rest easy.”

Another friend, Richard Hopaii wrote on Facebook:

“This one is a hard one to swallow but all I can say is HOPENA thank you for all the fun times we had and life time full of good memories from riding dirt bikes, fishing and surfing together. I’m definitely gonna miss your random calls and surprise meet ups. You will always have that special place in my heart and definitely always on my mind as usual.”

Hawaii actress Allison Chu announced her engagement to Pokipala in December 2024. He proposed to her on her birthday. She shared the heartfelt moment with her fans on Instagram and wrote:

“best birthday ever. I said yes to @hopenapokipala to forever.”

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In May 2025, the couple shared pictures from their dreamy engagement photoshoot. The photos were shot at a backyard sailing where the two of them met for the first time.

Chu is a beauty pageant contestant-turned-actor. She is a former Miss Hawaii and Miss Hawaii USA. The two shared about their upcoming marriage in numerous Instagram posts this year. They were also business partners, as they co-owned Oysters Hawaiʻi.

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