CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
The co-workers, friends and families of three Hawaii Air Ambulance workers killed in a March 8 plane crash on Maui held a memorial service yesterday at Magic Island. Anita Lucas-Legg, chief flight nurse for Hawaii Air Ambulance, was hugged by flight nurses, Sally Fox, left, and Teah Thomas.
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United in sorrow
A beachside service remembers three Hawaii Air Ambulance workers killed in a crash
The rains stayed away, but tears fell yesterday at Magic Island during a memorial service for the three Hawaii Air Ambulance employees who died when their airplane crashed into an automobile dealership in Kahului.
Company program director and chief flight nurse Anita Lucas-Legg organized yesterday's memorial, which was attended by about 65 co-workers, emergency medical transport colleagues, other employers and friends.
"To bring us all together. We are the ones who work together in this particular industry. And we needed this moment to hug together, to cry together and to grieve together in one spot," Lucas-Legg said, explaining the gathering.
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Sally Fox went into the surf to scatter flower petals during yesterday's memorial service.
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Pilot Peter Miller, 32, of Kailua; nurse Brien Eisaman, 37, of Waipahu; and paramedic Marlena Yomes, 39, of Waianae, died March 8 when their twin-engine Cessna 414A crashed about a mile from Kahului Airport.
They went to Maui to pick up a patient from Maui Memorial Medical Center for transport to Honolulu.
Lucas-Legg said Miller taught those who knew him how to really fly. Yomes taught them to soar. And she described Eisaman as "Mr. Cruise Control," who could maintain his professionalism and charm no matter what the circumstance.
Kahu Curtis Kekuna led the prayer, then 21 white doves were released. Lucas-Legg said the doves took the place of a 21-gun salute.
The gathering then went to the ocean to release flowers and leis.
The families of each of the crash victims scheduled separate services. Those for Miller were held Tuesday and last night. A memorial for Eisaman was scheduled for 5 p.m. today at the Kailua boat ramp. And services for Yomes are scheduled for 5 p.m. next Wednesday at Mililani Memorial Park and Mortuary.