A 21-year-old man, Isei Tamanikalou, tragically lost his life in an accident in Lautoka on Saturday morning while striving to improve his future. Hailing from Matanagata in Vatukoula, Tamanikalou had plans to return to Fiji National University to study engineering.
According to police, he was one of three passengers in a vehicle driven by a 30-year-old man, which crashed on Kings Road in Naviyago, near Lautoka. His grandparents expressed their profound grief, describing Tamanikalou as a bright and kind young man who made a lasting impact on everyone he encountered.
His grandmother, Makereta Laulau, is struggling with the pain of losing him and recalls their final conversation just hours before the tragic event. “We had just returned from church, and he told me he was going to Matanagata to visit friends,” she said. That turned out to be the last time she saw him.
“He was such a good boy. Always shy and quiet, but with so much love in his heart,” stated his grandfather, Epitani Tabua. “He was always happy-go-lucky and well-liked by everyone. He loved helping around the house and never asked for much.”
Tamanikalou had recently completed a certificate in electrical engineering, and his family was looking forward to his future. “He was excited to return to university and told me how determined he was to create a better life for himself. He was so focused on achieving that goal,” his grandfather added.
One of the most significant relationships in Tamanikalou’s life was with his uncle, Eloni Naidedede, who had raised him since childhood. “He always called him ‘dad’ because of their close bond,” Tabua said. “Isei was too young. He had his whole life ahead of him, and it’s so hard to accept that he’s gone.”
The police are currently investigating the incident.