Gathering
recalls loss in
Palolo fire
Faumuina family holds
By Jaymes Song
a candlelight ceremony for
the seven killed last year
Star-BulletinOne year of pain, anguish and tears all came out when Elaine Faumuina's candle was lit.
The flickering of her candle brought back memories of roaring flames that swept through her rented Palolo Valley home and claimed the lives of seven of her family members exactly one year ago.
The blaze killed Faumuina's 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.
"It's been one year since they left us, and I tell you, it's been a roller coaster," said the 46-year-old Faumuina.
About 75 people gathered at 12:28 a.m. this morning at Jarrett Intermediate School in memory of the one-year anniversary of the blaze.
"Losing seven members is something I couldn't handle, even if I lost one person in my family," said Bishop Alapati Manutai of the Kaimuki Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "With this experience she has gained the testimony of life and a stronger testimony of God."
Soft singing, tears and burning candles lit up the cool, dark, breezy night.
The ceremony was at the school because a new home is being constructed where her home used to be, just blocks away at 1816 Palolo Ave. Friends and relatives from all over Oahu and as far as San Diego came to pay respects to the fallen family members.
"If that happened to me, I don't know if I could stand," said Keoni Kakalai of Waimanalo. "I just tell them to keep their head up, and I'll keep on praying."
Don Faumuina, Elaine's oldest son, was on a church mission in California at the time of the fire. Faumuina, 27, said he misses the little things about his family members, such as his father always telling him to be careful, his brother bothering him for money, and the young ones calling him uncle.
"I would give everything I have to get the rest of them returned back to us, but life has to go on," he said.
The past year has been difficult, he said, but the event will help his family in the healing process.
"We live in a state that is very unique," he said. "It's called the Aloha State for a reason, because we are one big family. I believe that with all my heart. And I love my family."
Elaine Faumuina thanked everyone and encouraged them to always love each other and to participate in fire prevention.
"It's going to be another tough year," she said emotionally. "Knowing you are here with me tonight makes me feel a lot better."
Elaine and her 17-year-old son, Ulutunu Faumuina Jr., were the only survivors in the deadly blaze.
This morning, he sent a message to his father. A message that he regrets never sending before . . . "I love you."
