Fence, signs installed after Mililani teen's fatal plunge

A service will be held on Wednesday for Robert Hartsock

A 6-foot-high plastic orange fence and several warning signs now border a steep ravine in Mililani Mauka where a 15-year-old boy fell 80 to 100 feet to his death Thursday afternoon.

The fence went up yesterday on the cliff behind a new housing development under construction on Kelakela Street in Launani Valley. Castle and Cooke, the developers of the housing complex, installed the fence, said Dean Hazama, the vice-chairman of the Mililani Neighborhood Board.

"I'm glad they did something to increase safety in the area," Hazama said. "Hopefully it will prevent accidents in the future."

Hazama said neighborhood children frequent the construction site when it is unattended.

Residents had discussed the dangers of the area at a meeting at the Launani Valley Community Association the night before Robert Hartsock, a Mililani High School student, went hiking with his brother and friend and sat on a rock that gave way and sent him over the cliff.

His body was found in a stream bed below the ridge.

Hazama said the neighborhood board will discuss the situation at its next meeting on July 26.

A Mass for Hartsock will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. John the Apostle and Evangelist in Mililani. Friends may call at 9:30 a.m.

He is survived by his parents, a sister and grandparents.

Hartsock will be buried in Guam, where he was born.