A young man, striving for a brighter future for himself and his family, tragically lost his life in a car accident in Lautoka on Saturday morning. Isei Tamanikalou, 21, from Matanagata in Vatukoula, was set to return to Fiji National University to study engineering.
Authorities reported that he was one of three passengers in a vehicle driven by a 30-year-old man, which crashed along Kings Road in Naviyago, just outside Lautoka. His grandparents, deeply sorrowful, remembered Mr. Tamanikalou as a talented young individual with a big heart, who left a profound impact on everyone he encountered.
His grandmother, Makereta Laulau, is still struggling with her grief. She reflected on their last conversation hours before the accident, saying, “We had just returned from church, and he told me he was going to Matanagata to visit friends.” She emphasized how much he enjoyed spending time with his many friends in the village.
“That was the last I saw of him,” she added. “He was such a good boy. Always shy and quiet, but with so much love in his heart,” his grandfather, Epitani Tabua, expressed. “He was always cheerful and well-liked by everyone. He loved helping around the house and never asked for much.”
Mr. Tamanikalou had recently finished a certificate in electrical engineering, and his family was eagerly anticipating 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 truly focused on that goal,” Mr. Tabua recalled.
One of the closest relationships in Isei’s life was with his uncle, Eloni Naidedede, who had adopted him as a child. “He always called him ‘dad’ because of their close bond,” Mr. Tabua shared. “Isei was too young. He had his whole life ahead of him, and it’s so difficult to accept that he’s gone.”
The police are still investigating the incident.