Hokuanu Aki rests after stepping off the plane without the aid of crutches, showing off his new C-Leg that was fitted for him by Hanger Orthodics in California. When Harmon Aki, Hokuanu’s dad, said several weeks ago, “The next time
Hokuanu Aki rests after stepping off the plane without the aid of crutches, showing off his new C-Leg that was fitted for him by Hanger Orthodics in California.
When Harmon Aki, Hokuanu’s dad, said several weeks ago, “The next time you see Hoku, he’ll be playing basketball,” people didn’t quite take him seriously as the Kaua’i High School graduate was still recovering from a shark bite late in March that left him without much of his left leg.
Using crutches, Hoku returned to school and participated in as many of the events that he had obligated to prior to the shark attack, and two days following his graduation, Harmon and Hoku left for California to be fitted for the new leg.
The leg features a micro processor in the shin area that analyzes the movement of Hoku’s leg via receptors located in the foot portion. It then allows for the movement of the artificial limb to simulate natural movement as evidenced by Hoku’s walking off the plane without the use of crutches, and with only a slight hint of a limp.
Hoku said the limb is powered by a battery that has a two-year life. The batteries need to be charged up each night, Hoku said.
Precautionary measures are to make sure the leg doesn’t get wet, Hoku explained. “You can’t go swimming with it.”
Armed with his new limb, Hoku can now return to the road of higher education which includes enrolling at Hawai’i Pacific University with the aim of becoming a broadcaster. As for running, Hoku says that’s a little ways down the road.
