By Ken Sakamoto, Star-Bulletin
Police investigate yesterday's fatal crash on
Kamehameha Highway at the Turtle Bay Hilton.
And yesterday, Asuelu Tuiono, 17.
All died too young: Kahuku High School students in auto crashes.
Such tragedies are emotionally devastating for this close-knit North Shore community, and particularly for the student body at Kahuku Intermediate and High School.
"Now I'm getting to understand more how the other parents (who have lost loved ones) felt," said Olive Tuiono, Asuelo's mother. "Angeline Keo (Jason's mother) came to see me and told me not to worry, that it's going to be all right.
"She and the community here are a great comfort," she added. "The house already feels empty but our (Mormon) faith will hold us up."
Tuiono was driving a van that broadsided a sedan on Kamehameha Highway at the entrance to the Turtle Bay Hilton resort.
He and seven other boys were headed to Waimea Bay to surf when the 11 a.m. crash occurred. A couple visiting from Canada were in the car, which was attempting to make a left turn.
Of the eight people taken to three hospitals, two are in critical condition at Queen's - a woman, 81, who was the passenger in the car, and a 12-year-old boy from the van. Another youth, 17, is in fair condition at Queen's Hospital.
The woman's husband, 78, was treated for head injuries at Wahiawa Hospital and later released.
Four boys were taken to Kahuku Hospital, where Tuiono was pronounced dead at 12:14 p.m. The others were treated for cuts and bruises.
Although they did not appear to be seriously injured, two of the boys were sent to Queen's Hospital for precautionary follow-up examinations, said Keith Ridley of Kahuku Hospital.
"We were happy about going to the beach," said 15-year-old Terek Iese, who was in back of the van.
"When I saw the car coming, I just put my head down."
No one in the van was wearing seat belts, police said. Both driver- and passenger-side air bags were deployed in the car.
Tuiono is Oahu's 12th traffic fatality of the year.
Sgt. Debra Wilson said police have opened a negligent homicide investigation. Speed appears to be a factor, she added.
"There's just no room for emergencies if you're speeding on this road," said Allen Kroff, Mormon bishop of Tuiono's ward. "It's hard even at the speed limit of 45.
"We plan to gather our youth together and counsel them further about safety and responsibility," he added. "Asuelo was a bright young man with a bright future."
Asuelo was the youngest of Eru Sr. and Olive Tuiono's four sons.
"He always did his work around the house, obeyed my parents and even cooked for the family," Eru Tuiono Jr. said of his brother. "He was a good boy.
"I think God was wrong on this one - He should have took me, not my little brother," he added.
Olive Tuiono says Asuelo drove her to work at the Polynesian Cultural Center yesterday morning and then returned home to help paint the house before going to the beach.
"He was always happy and had so many friends," Olive Tuiono said. "I remember him crying on the telephone once because we forgot to pick him up for (Jason Keo's) funeral. They were good friends.
"I know they're together now."