Victim not familiar with power of ocean
Jasmin Kermmoade grew up in landlocked Lincoln, Neb., not knowing the dangers of the ocean.
The 19-year-old woman was with a group of fellow employees in magazine sales when she was swept off a rocky ledge near Lanai Lookout on the east shore of Oahu on Monday and drowned.
"I'm certain none of them in that group were prepared for what happened and why," said Kermmoade's aunt Caryl Ann Kermmoade, also from Lincoln. "They probably said, 'Look at the spray.'"
A huge wave washed over one man and the five women as they posed for photos, sweeping Kermmoade into the ocean and dashing the others against the rocky ledge. The man, 30, jumped in to try to save her, but another wave hit the two and he was thrown up on the rocks, leaving her alone in the water.
A fire rescue swimmer got to Kermmoade and administered artificial respiration. She was airlifted to Hanauma Bay and taken by ambulance to Queen's Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. The others were taken to Straub Hospital in stable condition.
Caryl Ann Kermmoade described her niece as a "vibrant young lady, very pretty, and sweet and caring."
Her aunt said Jasmin's job took her to various cities across the country, including New York, Cincinnati and Denver.
The Medical Examiner's Office identified Jasmin Kermmoade yesterday, and determined she died from asphyxia due to drowning and ruled it as accidental.
A medical investigator said Kermmoade worked in Washington state.