DEAN SENSUI / DSENSUI@ STARBULLETIN.COM Hoku Aki, who lost most of his left leg from a shark attack, waved as he wheeled himself into the airport terminal on his way home to Kauai on April 6.

Hoku’s dad eager
to see boy’s saviors

A Colorado couple will return
to Kauai for a fund-raiser
for the shark-bite victim

---

By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com

In two weeks, Harmon Aki will thank a couple face-to-face for saving his son's life after the 17-year-old bodyboarder was attacked by a shark in Kauai.

"What they have done for me, my wife, my family, I can never repay that, never," said Harmon Aki, referring to rescuers Nancy and David Roberts of Colorado.

On March 25, David Roberts and his friend Brian Hanson encouraged Hoku Aki to paddle to shore after he was attacked by a shark while bodyboarding at Brennecke's Beach. Nancy Roberts, a registered nurse, immediately grabbed a towel and used it as a tourniquet on Aki's leg while her son, Spencer, called a lifeguard.

"They gave me back Hokuanu. That's so precious," Harmon Aki said.

Thanks to Kauai County officials and United Airlines, the Colorado couple will fly to Kauai to meet Harmon Aki and his family at a public fund-raiser for Hoku Aki at 11 a.m. May 11 at the Kukui Grove Park & Pavilion in Lihue. Money collected at the event will go toward the 17-year-old's medical expenses.

Musical groups such as Natural Vibrations, Opihi Pickers, Titus Kinimaka and the Kauai Boys, Malia & Tommy Tokioka and solo artist Shilo Pa will entertain the public.

Food booths, a silent auction and a play area will also be available at the event for adults and children.

Harmon Aki called the Robertses Saturday night to ask them whether they can fly to Kauai for the event.

"I want to give them a hug and say thank you," said Aki.

The fund-raiser will be the first time Harmon Aki will meet David and Nancy Roberts.

In a phone interview, the couple said Hoku Aki has not escaped their thoughts since the shark attack occurred.

"Every day we think about Hoku," said David Roberts.

"We will definitely be there. It will be a nice time to reunite with Hoku and meet the rest of the family," he said.

Aki underwent two amputations to his left leg at Wilcox Memorial Hospital and Queen's Medical Center before returning to classes at Kauai High School. The bodyboarder continues to undergo physical therapy sessions and has been fitted for a temporary prosthesis.

"He's doing well," Harmon Aki said.

Aki has since attended his prom and is expected to participate Friday in his school's May Day program, where he was elected king for the second year in a row. Aki will then fly to Oahu on Saturday morning to compete in the StarQuest event at the Stan Sheriff Center with his band, Elima Miu.

After spending nearly two weeks in Honolulu receiving medical care, the 17-year-old returned to his Koloa home and was greeted by family and friends.

Everybody walked into the garage to see how Hoku was doing, Harmon Aki said. But the one thing on Hoku's mind was freedom.

He searched for his car keys and jumped in his car, said Harmon Aki.

"He was gone. He went cruising. That's Hokuanu," chuckled Harmon Aki.