A young man with aspirations for a better future tragically lost his life in an accident in Lautoka on Saturday morning. Isei Tamanikalou, 21, from Matanagata in Vatukoula, was planning to return to Fiji National University to study engineering.
Police reported that he was one of three passengers in a vehicle, driven by a 30-year-old, which crashed on Kings Road in Naviyago, just outside Lautoka. Tamanikalou’s grandparents are devastated by the loss, remembering him as a bright individual with a big heart, who made a positive impact on those around him.
His grandmother, Makereta Laulau, is still trying to cope with the loss. She recounted their last exchange just hours before the accident, after they had returned from church, when he mentioned he was going to visit friends in Matanagata. “He had so many friends in the village and loved spending time with them,” she said, reflecting on the last time she saw him.
Epitani Tabua, his grandfather, also shared his sorrow, emphasizing Tamanikalou’s good nature. “He was such a good boy. Always shy and quiet, but with so much love in his heart,” he said, describing him as happy-go-lucky and well-liked among peers. The family was excited after Tamanikalou recently completed a certificate in electrical engineering, looking forward to his future.
“He was eager to return to university and determined to create a better life for himself,” Tabua added. One of the most significant relationships in Tamanikalou’s life was with his uncle, Eloni Naidedede, who adopted him. Tabua noted, “He always called him ‘dad’ because of their close bond. Isei was too young. He had his whole life ahead of him, and it’s hard to accept that he’s gone.”
The police investigation into the incident is ongoing.