‘We’ve been holding it in.
Tonight it just came out’
Prayer in Palolo
Friends, family and neighbors
By Jaymes Song
hold a candle light service in honor
of the victims of last week's fire
Star-Bulletin
Elaine Faumuina's cries once again echoed through Palolo Valley. She sat and wept in the midst of charred rubble, flowers and framed photos where her house used to stand and where the bodies of her husband, children and grandchildren were found.
Hundreds attended a memorial service this morning, to pay their last respects to seven members of her family who died exactly a week ago in Honolulu's deadliest house fire.
Elaine, 45, is one of the two survivors of the blaze. The fire claimed the lives of her husband, Ulutunu, 52, their son, Kalani, 12, and daughter Ramona Asuao, 22, Ramona's husband, Tupu Asuao, 31, the Asuaos' son A.J., 5, and twin daughters Aotoa and Lele, 4.
Candles and singing illuminated the warm, dark night as Elaine shared memories and prayed for her lost family.
"(My husband) was a big man, but his heart was even bigger," she said. "I hope one day I'll be with him."
She then thanked neighbor Louis Perez, who pulled her away from her burning home. Elaine was found crying near the bodies, and did not attempt to escape the roaring flames.
"I didn't care about myself," she said. "I knew my husband and children were gone. I don't know where (Perez) came from. I was just crying my heart out.
By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Don Faumuina, who was away from home
on a Mormon mission, kneels by a photo
of his brother, Kalani.
"If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be standing here. Thank you, Louis. Thank you so much."She encouraged the crowd to always love and be nice to everyone.
Friends, family and police officers said the service has helped them cope.
Honolulu police officer Daniel Gooch, who is a family friend, remembers Elaine's cries as he responded to the call.
"It devastated and drained me," he said. "Elaine is the one of the strongest ladies I know and they are a class family. It's a relief to me she will be all right. That will help me heal."
David Tuifua drove from his Ewa home to pay homage to the family he didn't know.
"Even though I don't know them, I understand what she is feeling," said Taifua.
The Faumuina family has visited the site every single day since the fire. Elaine usually stays for hours, to drop off flowers, pray and talk to the children, according to Elaine's niece, Saldigaoloa Faumuina.
Saldigaoloa said Elaine hasn't cried this hard since the day of the fire. She said it was good for Elaine to release everything this night.
"She's so strong, very strong," Saldigaoloa said, adding that 50 to 60 people come to her house daily to give Elaine support.
Don Faumuina, Elaine's 26-year-old son who also lived at the home, was in California during the fire.
"I know (the service) helped my whole family," he said. "We've been holding it in. Tonight it just came out."
He said he was overwhelmed with the number of people who attended the early morning event.
"We're so grateful for the love and support from family, community and church members," he said.
"A big mahalo. Everyone's been so helpful. We are so fortunate. So lucky. So blessed. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
"I know we will be able to move on after this," he said.
After the conclusion of the service, Faumuina cried for more than 30 minutes while her family consoled her. She then was led away to a vehicle.
She left the site crying out the names of her lost family members.
