Allison Chu is grieving the untimely loss of her fiancé, Fullerton “Hopena” Pokipala, who tragically lost his life in a UTV accident in Waimanalo, Honolulu, Hawaii. The unfortunate event occurred on a Saturday night, claiming the life of the 30-year-old. Allison, known for her achievements as a singer, model, actress, and former Miss Hawaii and Miss Hawaii USA, has been honoring her late fiancé by sharing heartfelt tributes on her Instagram Stories.
The couple had celebrated their engagement in December 2024, and in May 2025, they shared memories from their engagement photo session. Allison’s multifaceted career began with classical opera training at a young age, leading to performances at the Hawaii Opera Theater and with the Hawaii Youth Opera chorus.
Allison expanded her artistic talents to Hawaiian music, becoming a recording artist. She boasts several popular songs and has received both Hawaii Music Awards and Omni Youth Music Awards. Allison is an accomplished songwriter and musician, adept at guitar, violin, piano, and ukulele. Her involvement in the music industry is highlighted by her membership in the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
In the fashion industry since 2011, Allison was initially signed to Wilhelmina Models, with subsequent representation by prominent agencies in New York and Los Angeles. Her modeling career includes working with various designers and participating in New York Fashion Week.
As an actress, Allison Chu took on roles from childhood, with notable performances in the film Little Lost Girl of Manoa Valley and the TV series Hawaii Five-0. Her recent acting credits include parts in Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. and Rescue: HI Surf.
In addition to her artistic endeavors, Allison has built a digital presence as an influencer with over 22.4K Instagram followers, using her platform to foster connections and share her journey.
Her entrepreneurial spirit is reflected in Oysters Hawaii, a mobile oyster and caviar event catering service she co-founded with Pokipala. Besides running the business across several states, her fiancé was a longshoreman, canoe paddler, builder, and had political aspirations, having run for the state house.
The accident that claimed Pokipala’s life occurred as he drove his UTV, missing a stop sign and consequently colliding with another vehicle. Despite being hospitalized, he succumbed to his injuries, and the incident was declared an accident by the medical examiner.
Allison Chu now faces the challenge of navigating life without her beloved fiancé, cherishing the memories they shared while continuing her multifaceted career and business endeavors.