Holy Trinity mourns Elizabeth Kekoa had many titles: volunteer, teacher and director. Her friends and co-workers have added another one to the list: angel.
a dedicated teacher
Kekoa's friends and family
Police crack down on racing
members take comfort that
their "angel" is in heavenBy Kelliann Shimote
kshimote@starbulletin.com"I'm so upset that she is gone," said 18-year-old Kina Mackay, a colleague who worked with Kekoa at Holy Trinity School and Church in Kuliouou.
"Losing her is like losing three people," Mackay said. "She was like my angel."
Deacon Paul Lee added he first knew Kekoa as a volunteer at the church during the 1980s.
"It would be very difficult to find a person like that again," Lee said.
"Yesterday (Sunday) ... is the saddest day of my life." he said. "It's just like one of our family members died."
Kekoa, 58, was killed when the van she was in collided with a Honda Prelude in the Koko Head-bound lanes of the H-1 freeway near the 6th Avenue offramp.
The accident happened at about 4:15 Sunday morning.
The Rev. Hal Weidner said he believes Kekoa was coming home from celebrating her mother's birthday at her brother's house.
He said she was heading home to get ready for Mass.
Kekoa's husband, who was driving, was listed in fair condition yesterday at Queen's Medical Center. Her mother was listed as critical.
Police believe the Honda was racing when it went out of control and struck the median before colliding with the van. The driver, 18-year-old Nicholas Tudisco of Hawaii Kai, was arrested for negligent homicide but released without being charged.
Weidner finds her death ironic because Kekoa dedicated herself to advising youths the same age as Tudisco.
While working with the church, Kekoa also organized and planned youth group activities and distributed canned goods to the needy.
Kekoa's brother Willie Davis struggled to understand why this happened.
"She was such a kind and loving person, and there's not enough words to describe my sister."
"That boy (driver of the car) would have to live the rest of his life knowing what he did," Davis said.
He tried to cope by looking back on their childhood.
"Being the only girl, she used to get picked on a lot," said Davis. "But she was well taken care of by my grandparents."
Weidner found solace that Kekoa is with God now.
"Liz was a very special person with a lot of faith," he said. "If anybody was ready for heaven, it was her."
"She trusted God and loved God, and her reward would be in heaven," said Weidner. "She was a perfect example of what a human being can do."
Kekoa is survived by husband Wallace; daughter Kristine, 21; son Kristopher, 19; brothers Willie, William, Sedgie and Ricky; and mother Rose Alma Davis.
The church has set up a fund for the family. Monetary donations can be made to the Holy Trinity Church, 5919 Kalanianaole Hwy., Honolulu, HI 96821.