Sacred Falls
victim’s fiance
kept out

The state decides against letting
the Californian trek up
to Sacred Falls

By Jaymes K. Song
and Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

Robert Cole Graham came to Hawaii to visit Sacred Falls and see the spot where his fiancee was killed.

"I wanted to breathe the air, hear the falls and kiss the ground she walked on. I wanted to live the moment like she did," said Graham, of Canoga Park, Calif.

Jennifer Johnson was one of eight people killed in a Mother's Day rockslide at the park. Her brother, Mark, and best friend Sara Johnson also were killed.

The area remains closed, but Graham hoped state officials would allow him to visit the site for a few minutes.

By Ken Ige, Star-Bulletin
Robert Cole Graham has coped with the loss of his fiance,
with the support of those close to him like his sister, Faye.

He contacted the state yesterday, and was told that because of a pending lawsuit, no one would be allowed in the area.

Graham drove up to the locked area and looked at the trail leading to the falls.

"She never came back from that road," Graham said. "I want to hear the birds and water and take her home on my video camera."

Graham and his companions -- a brother, a sister and a friend -- also rented a helicopter and flew over the falls.

State Parks Division Administrator Ralston H. Nagata said today that someone had tried to reach him or Department of Land and Natural Resources Director Tim Johns yesterday to get permission to enter the closed park.

"We're very sorry for everybody," he said. "If we could take them in, we would take them in. But because of the litigation, we have to hold the line."

Graham wasn't happy with the state's response.

"I came all this way and I have three people I need to say goodbye to," Graham said.