Maximus Lofa Fonoti-Maikui, 2015 Wayne Yamamoto Scholarship Fund Recipient

Sep 1, 2015 | PC INK

MyPearlCity.com is proud to recognize Maximus Lofa Fonoti-Maikui as our next PC I.N.K. – Incredible Neighborhood Kids selection. Lofa plays quarterback and linebacker for the Pearl City Chargers Pee Wee Division football team. He is also the proud recipient of the first annual Wayne Yamamoto Scholarship Fund that awarded Lofa a $350.00 scholarship that will go towards paying his 2015 Pearl City Football Association (Pearl City Chargers Pop Warner Football) season registration fees.

Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]

Lofa is a seventh grade student at Highlands Intermediate School. He was one of several Charger football players that entered an essay contest for the chance to be named the 2015 Wayne Yamamoto Scholarship Fund Award winner.

The Pearl City Chargers Scholarship selection committee made of up Executive Board Members, selected Lofa as the winner which was announced during a presentation ceremony on Sunday, August 30 at Pacheco Park before Lofa and his Charger teammates took to the field to take on the visiting Kailua Mustangs. Lofa led the Chargers over the Mustangs 19-6.

It was a very proud and emotional moment for the Chargers football ohana as they honored their beloved coach affectionately known as Coach YAMA and also recognize the outstanding Chargers student athletes representing Pearl City Chargers Pop Warner Football.

“Wayne Yamamoto was a pillar of the coaching community here with the Pearl City Chargers," said Maka Keone, Public relations representative, Pearl City Football Association. "He would always provide help to those who needed it, especially the boys who couldn’t afford to pay for the registration fee. He would always just drop the money off for the boys. In honor of his memory, this is our first annual Wayne Yamamoto Scholarship Fund and today’s recipient is very well represented. He’s a good student athlete, good leader, real humble and I’m glad that he won it. The other boys were really good too. It was really close. The essays were touching. They all wanted to participate in this scholarship and they had a good time."

The following 2015 Wayne Yamamoto Scholarship Fund finalists also won cash awards for their essays:

Kobe Higa $25, Micah Higa $25, Prince Solomon $50

Lofa's ohana was present in force at the awards presentation as well as to cheer on the Chargers in the football game that followed. Beaming with pride and honor was Lofa's parents, Isaiah and Brianna Maikui.

"I’m very proud of him, very happy," said Brianna Maikui, Lofa's mom. "He tries so hard to be the best that he can be and we always encourage him to be humble, be respectful, and do good in school. Just for him to receive this, I know that he did work hard on his essay and when I did read it, I was so proud of him because it shows that he’s proud of what he does. He loves football, he loves school, so for him to get this makes me so excited and happy. I’m a proud mommy. I would like to say thank to everybody. Thank God, without him it’s impossible and Lofa knows that, and that’s always his first thing is God first, and then everyone around him, his family, his coaches, his teachers. Without everybody’s support, this wouldn’t have been possible."

Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]

Lofa pictured with his dad, Isaiah and mom. Brianna.

Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]

Fonoti-Maikui Ohana

About Coach Wayne Yamamoto

(provided by Pearl City Football Association)

Wayne Yamamoto was a dedicated member of the Pearl City community. He was involved with many groups, including the Pearl City Football Association, which he volunteered thousands of hours of his personal time. Known as COACH YAMA, countless athletes have played under him for numerous years. Coach Yama was a strong, passionate and old school coach. Many know of him in that manner. Everyone could hear the “passion” in his voice across the football field. What some didn’t realize about Coach Yama was that he was a very compassionate and giving man. He was there for the kids. If there was a player who needed a ride, he would gladly assist. If there was a boy who needed shoes, he would generously pay for them. If there was a player who couldn’t afford to pay the football registration fee, he would sponsor that player. Pearl City lost a good man when he passed away in January 2013. Pearl City Football Association will honor Coach Yama’s memory by creating the Wayne Yamamoto Scholarship Fund. One player this season will be selected by the selecting Scholarship Committee to be the inaugural recipient of this award. This Scholarship Fund will be in the amount of this season’s $350 registration fee.