Relatives and friends of a man killed in a hit-and-run accident on Kahekili Highway last month are hoping to rally community support for a fundraiser to benefit his two young sons.
Matthew Kalani Fragas, 30, of Kaneohe was struck by a vehicle shortly after 2 a.m. June 2 while walking along Kahekili near Ahuimanu Place.
The driver, Mark K. Salangdron, was charged June 7 with fleeing the scene of an accident and extortion. A passenger, Elijah Kawai-Aweau, was charged with hindering prosecution.
A witness came forward sometime after the crash, alleging that the men threatened her into silence. In an affidavit filed in court, police said a witness told officers that the two men had been drinking with friends hours earlier at a Kaneohe home.
Fragas, a federal firefighter and an Air Force reservist who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, left behind two boys, Zane, 8, and Duke, 5, along with his wife, Nola, who was his high school sweetheart.
The 2000 graduate of Castle High School was born and raised on Oahu and enlisted with the 154th Services Flight, Hawaii Air National Guard, in 2002.
Michele Navarro Ishiki, a close friend of Fragas’ brother, said she decided to coordinate a fundraiser to benefit his sons.
"God put it on my heart to do this for his family," she said. "I want people to know that Matt is a very family-oriented man."
The loss affects not only his family and friends, but the community he helped whenever he could, she said. Fragas was especially active with youth sports, she said.
The fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 4 at King Intermediate School football field, 46-155 Kamehameha Highway. It will feature bouncers, face- and hair-painting, pony rides and a petting zoo for children, while adults can enjoy a silent auction, massage tent and memorabilia display.
Entertainment will include Grammy and Na Hoku Hanohano Award nominee Darin Leong along with Jon Yamasato, formerly of Pure Heart; Tino Moe and Tamatoa; and Bamboo Crew.
A Hawaiian plate from Masa & Joyce, as well as burgers and fries, will also be covered in the ticket price.
Discounted advance tickets for entry and food will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and July 28 at Masa & Joyce okazuya, 45-582 Kamehameha Highway, in Kaneohe. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 10 to 17; children under 10 will be admitted free.
On Aug. 4, tickets sold at the event will cost $20 for adults and $15 for children ages 10 to 17.
"My vision has been that this would be a community and family event," Navarro Ishiki said. "I just want people to know that this is benefiting his sons."
Money will be place in a trust for them, she said.
Sponsors include Alvin Tobaru and Masa & Joyce, Honolulu Burger Co., the Royal Order of Kamehameha I Moku o Kuhio VI, Nozawa’s Ark, Crystal Martone, LMT and Mobi PCS.
