UCF offensive lineman Lokahi Pauole, a native of Kapolei, Hawaii, has pledged to donate some of his NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) earnings to support the victims of the devastating wildfires that have affected his home state. Pauole expressed his sadness and concern for the Hawaiian Islands and donated a portion of his earnings to help the community of Maui. He emphasized the close-knit nature of the Hawaiian people, referring to the concept of “Ohana,” which means family. Despite not having immediate family in Maui, Pauole still felt connected to the community and wanted to contribute to their relief efforts.
The wildfires in Hawaii have resulted in a confirmed death toll of 99 and over 1,000 people still unaccounted for. The catastrophe has also caused the destruction of more than 2,200 structures. Pauole expressed his thoughts and prayers for the affected individuals and encouraged others to donate and help during this challenging time. He emphasized that no contribution is too small and that even those who have previously visited Hawaii should not hesitate to offer support.
Pauole is an experienced player for the UCF Knights, having started in 35 games. He has received accolades as a two-time All-AAC honoree and was named to the first team last season. The Knights will begin their first season in the Big 12 conference in the upcoming fall, alongside new members BYU, Cincinnati, and Houston.
