Fourteen-year-old Kawehi Adkins-Kupu­kaa has been described by friends and family as "a happy-go-lucky girl" who "always knew how to make us laugh."

Killed in a car crash last week, Adkins-Kupu­kaa was the focus of prayers Sunday at the Word of Life West Oahu Emerge Life youth group’s weekly service at the Kapo­lei Theaters. Prayers also went out to her loved ones and others affected by the crash, in which three others were injured.

"As a church we’re here to help," said Walter Arguelles, one of the church’s youth leaders. "We’re here to comfort them, (offer) prayer, support."

The group included a special time for prayer before its regular sermon during which they prayed for everyone involved with and affected by the crash.

"We want to take this time as a church to pray for those people that were affected by it, whether its Kawehi’s family, whether it’s the other people’s family," Arguelles said in leading the prayer. "Everyone pray for people that were generally affected by this car incident, and if that’s you, you know, you’re affected by it, as a church we would love to pray for you this morning."

Arguelles invited those in the audience who were affected by the crash to stand. Of the more than 100 junior high and high school students gathered in the theater, about 25 rose to their feet.

Audience members raised their hands toward those standing and bowed their heads while Arguelles prayed.

"We believe that in the midst of the storms, in the midst of this tough time, God can still comfort, God is still a good, and at this time we want to pray for you guys in general," he said before announcing that group leaders would be available for counsel and personal prayer after the service.

"I pray, Lord … that you minister peace into their lives, you minister comfort, Lord, in the name of Jesus," he continued. "Lord, I pray you continue to restore joy over their lives, you continue to minister hope into their lives."

Before the service, Arguelles said he knows of one youth group member who was friends with Adkins-Kupu­kaa, and many others who know her boyfriend, 15-year-old Johnoven "John John" Lagon.

Lagon was in the back seat of the GMC Envoy SUV involved in the crash, while Adkins-Kupu­kaa was the front-seat passenger. Driver Bran­don Harris, 16, was allegedly speeding eastbound on Kai­malie Street toward Fort Weaver Road when he crossed the double solid centerline and struck a Porsche Cayenne traveling in the other direction.

The second driver was hospitalized briefly.