For family
matriarch, life still
‘a nightmare’
Tomorrow marks one year
By Jaymes K. Song
since most of Elaine Faumuina's
family was killed in Honolulu's
deadliest house fire
Star-BulletinAs Elaine Faumuina walked past the graves of her seven family members, she saw their smiles, felt their hugs and kisses, heard their laughter.
Tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of the blaze that destroyed Faumuina's Palolo Valley home and her life. It was Honolulu's deadliest house fire.
Faumuina and her teen-age son were the only survivors.
"Christmas is just around the corner, and it's going to be another year without a Christmas tree in the house because there's no sense," she said. "Nobody's going to be running around and looking under the tree."
Today I'm really down
I have too much on my mind
Oh how I wish I could die
But only the tears I cried.
If only I could have you by
My side, and hear you say,
"Everything will be alright."Not a day go by, wishing I
Could hold you tight.
So much is bundle inside
That the only answer could be
Suicide. But what can I do?
I don't have you. If you are
Here please tell me what to do.Today I looked back and remember
The things we use to do.
My heart ache because I'm lonely
Without you. That day you died
You didn't say good-bye.
I was around but you were no where
To be found. Oh how I wish I could
Be there just to tell you how much
I care. Life will never be the same
Until the day we meet again.Elaine Faumuina
Sept. 26, 1998
On Monday morning, Faumuina pointed to areas of the 10-by-20-foot grave site.
"Here is my husband. My three grandchildren. My son. My daughter. The last one is my son-in-law."
They were buried next to each other at Laie Cemetery near Brigham Young University of Hawaii.
"It's a bad dream, and it's going to constantly be a nightmare," said the 46-year-old Faumuina. "There will never be closure. Here are people that I loved. They were my life."
For the past year, Faumuina has driven an hour from her two-bedroom Kaimuki home -- two to three times a week -- to drop off flowers and talk to her family members. The fire claimed the lives of her husband, Ulutunu, 52; their son, James "Kalani," 12, and daughter Ramona Asuao, 22; Ramona's husband, Ailatupu, 31; the Asuaos' son, Ailatupu John "A.J." Asuao Jr., 5; and twin daughters Sene "Aotoa" and Ramona "Lele," 4.
"I tell them how life has changed dramatically ever since they left and how it's really hard," she said. "Life is really hard. It's getting harder and harder."
On Monday, a 250-pound granite marker was placed on the grave.
In the past year, Faumuina has taken two jobs. She works full time as a gas station attendant and as a part-time manager at a funeral and cemetery service business.
Faumuina took the part-time job because of financial reasons and because she knows what the mourners are experiencing.
She said her life wasn't easy before the fire. But she had a family.
"My husband and I hardly ever made ends meet," she said. "We were poor but we were happy."
Faumuina has also dedicated herself to Mothers Against Drunk Driving and No Hope in Dope.
"I want to do anything I can to help the youth to see they should take life more seriously," she said, "because life is more precious than they think.
"Life is too short. They may be here today and gone tomorrow. You never know when the Lord is going to tell us it's time to come."
Her nephews John, Tavita and Tafao Faumuina and family friend James Woolsey have helped her cope.
"The main thing I told her is that her husband and her children are in a better place," Woolsey said.
Tafao Faumuina said a lot of the time, his aunt doesn't show her emotions.
"She looks strong on the outside, but on the inside she's hurting a lot," he said.
A minute after the headstone was perfectly placed and dusted off, rain started to pour.
"My message to my husband, children and grandchildren would be that they will always be in my heart and with me," she said. "I will always remember them for who they are."
Two minutes later, the downpour stopped and brilliant sun rays emerged.
"I think they really like the headstone," Faumuina said looking at the skies with a smile.
Remembrances
The public is invited to services to remember seven members of the Elaine Faumuina family who died in a fire in Palolo a year ago:
CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
Where: Jarrett Intermediate School
GRAVESITE SERVICE
