Teen credited with heroic actionsTo the Forum:

I would like to commend and recommend Colby Ayonon for an award of commendation

or certificate of merit, for his quick thinking and heroic actions on the night

of March 30.

Colby, late at night, driving on his way home from Anahola to

Wailua Homesteads, took the Olohena back road when he came upon a frightening

scene.

Just past Kaapuni Street and after the first sharp turn at the

bottom of the hill, Colby encountered what looked like a small bonfire off to

the right side of the road. It was very dark and rainy, and very difficult to

see.

Sensing that something was wrong, Colby slowed down as he passed the

fire and shouted out his window to what looked like a body lying on the side of

the road next to the fire.

From the dark, a voice called back to him for

help and Colby pulled his truck over to the side to assist the

person.

Running to the scene, Colby noticed a man sprawled out next to a

burning motorcycle. The man was semiconscious and unable to move. Colby knew

that the fire next to the motorcycle was not a good sign and proceeded to drag

the man away from the motorbike toward his truck.

Colby’s quick action

saved the man from suffering any burns because shortly after dragging him from

the scene the motorcycle’s gas tank exploded and the bike burst into larger

flames.

Colby also noticed that the gentleman’s right hand and wrist were

cut and mangled from the fall and that one of his ears had been severely tom

away from his scalp and scraped. It was just barely hanging at the end of the

ear lobe and blood streamed down the side of his head and face.

Colby ran

to his truck to get a towel to compress the wound, to help stop the bleeding

and called 911 on his cellular phone for professional assistance. He stayed

with the man, reassured him that help was on it’s way, and waited several long

and anxious minutes until the police and ambulance finally arrived on the

scene.

Colby is a junior at Kapa’a High School and is only 16 years of age,

but his calm demeanor and swift thinking displayed his courage and maturity in

a critical situation.

Colby’s single act of heroism and bravery saved this

man from further injury and maybe even saved his life.

It is comforting to

know that there are young teenagers in our society that have proven to be

valuable assets to our Kaua’i community. Community recognition and thanks need

to be extended to this young and valiant individual, Colby Ayonon, the son of

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ayonon and Cyndi Ayonon.

Mr. and Mrs.

Marti

Kapa’a