Tuesday, April 10, 2001
Ma‘afala succumbs Nick Ma'afala, one of the best high school football players in Hawaii in the 1980s, has died of complications from leukemia.
to leukemia
The former McKinley standout
is survived by Fuamatu-Ma'afala
of the NFL and 9 other siblingsBy Dave Reardon
Star-BulletinMa'afala, who passed away Saturday afternoon, was 33.
In 1984, Ma'afala made the Star-Bulletin's all-state football team as a defensive lineman, and was the Oahu Interscholastic Association East lineman of the year.
He had an abbreviated on-again, off-again career with the University of Hawaii.
Ma'afala also played some semi-pro football. He was diagnosed with leukemia last year, and received a bone marrow transplant from his sister, Leimomi Ma'afala. NFL running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala is also among his 10 siblings.
"Nick fought to the very end," said another brother, Tenari Ma'afala. "What's holding us together is our religious belief that he's in a better place resting peacefully now."
Tenari Ma'afala said services are pending.
"Initially we were hoping to have a viewing this Friday, because it's his birthday," he said. "But all the churches are booked because of Good Friday and Easter."
Nick Ma'afala is also survived by his wife, Shannon Sandry, and his mother, Lusia Ma'afala.
His other brothers and sisters are Punipuao Brown of Bellingham, Wash., Katarina Leru, Albert Ma'afala, Benson Ma'afala, Naomi Maiava, Roy Ma'afala and Tanya Fuamatu.
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