Manu Witika, the man who would become known as Heavy Impact, lived a colorful life even before he took on the challenge of super-heroics. Manu's parents separated before he was born, with his mother moving to Hawaii, and his father staying in New Zealand. For most of his formative years, Manu spent half of the year with his mother, and half the year with his father. It was a unique and horizon expanding way to spend one's youth, and Manu saw more of the world in his childhood than most people see in their lifetime. And it gave him the benefit of a dual citizenship, which served to make his travel easier.

When he reached high school age however, he decided to stay in Hawaii and attempt to complete his education in America. Naturally gifted with an impressive height and musculature even as a teenager, Manu played a number of sports, showing particular affinity for football. It was this skill that got him scouted by the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. A full scholarship if he played for the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors football team as a linebacker. It was a great opportunity, and the man took it. Those four years were some of the best years of his life. He eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Services. For despite his size, Manu was a gentle soul, and wanted to help people more than anything else.

He got his opportunity.

He was hired right out of college as an EMT for Kuakini Medical Center. For five years, Manu helped people when they were at their most vulnerable. It was a rewarding, if humbling, experience. For five years her served on the rescue squad, helping others and building a life for himself in Honolulu. And that was when his life changed. See, Manu was what scientists studying the metahuman phenomenon call a "late bloomer." He had shown no signs of any abilities before he was in his late twenties. But one day when transporting a patient on the Pali Highway, the driver hydroplaned in the heavy rain and sent the ambulance tumbling into the Ko'olau ravine. Only Manu was unharmed from the crash. Indeed, there was not one scratch on him. Further, the accident seemed to give him strength, as he managed to break out of the twisted wreck and pull the patient and his partner to safety. Such a thing seemed a miracle at first. But when being examined at the hospital afterwards for any hidden internal injuries, the doctors found they could not pierce his skin. And that was when Manu discovered that he was a metahuman.

Seeing an opportunity to do good on a larger scale, Manu decided to leave the island behind and focus on his abilities. He moved to Metro City in order to study and control his powers. He joined the Metahuman League in order to facilitate this understanding. It turned out to be unnecessary in his case. For it turned out his powers were unconscious and automatic, like the beating of his heart. Having received all the guidance he could, Manu decided to join the League as a full member. And though he moved into the Masterson Estate, he still maintains an apartment in the city proper. He has a bit of an independent streak, and sometimes he needs to have his own space.

It was the papers that dubbed him Heavy Impact. It's rather embarrassing really. While chasing a suspect across the rooftops during his first outing, he slipped and actually fell off the building. He hit the ground with such force that it created a small crater, and and set off nearby car alarms. All caught on camera of course. "Heavy Impact Rocks the Downtown Area: Clumsy Capes at it Again!" ran the headline. It was probably also a crack at his weight, but Manu decided to wear it as a badge of pride, and a reminder that for all his power, he is only human.