ROD THOMPSON / RTHOMPSON@STARBULLETIN.COM Maj. Gen. David Fridovich presented a folded flag to the family of Staff Sgt. Henry Kahalewai Jr. during graveside services yesterday. With their backs to the camera are daughters Alishia and Azhalane and wife Debbie; facing the general is son Aaron.

Big Island soldier is laid to rest

A quiet military service honors the staff sergeant killed in Iraq

HILO » Army Maj. Gen. David Fridovich knelt in front of the family of Staff Sgt. Henry Kahalewai Jr. during a graveside service yesterday and handed them a tightly folded American flag.

He spoke softly, in words that only they could hear, then touched them on the shoulder and gently shook their hands.

The same solemn, subdued tone marked the remainder of the service, varied only by three rifle volleys fired by a seven-man honor guard.

Big Island native Kahalewai was laid to rest in Hilo Veterans Cemetery yesterday following his death Dec. 15 from wounds suffered Nov. 21 in Iraq.

The service started at 10 a.m. with Army casket bearers carrying Kahalewai's flag-draped casket from a hearse to a supporting structure placed over the open grave. Military personnel carefully folded the flag from the casket into a tight triangle.

A soldier passed the flag to Fridovich with a long, slow salute.

The general spoke to each member of the immediate family: Kahalewai's wife Debbie, his daughters Alishia and Azhalane and his son Aaron. He handed them a triangular wooden box in which the flag will be stored.

"Henry's work was not in vain," said Capt. Darren Cox in a eulogy.

Cox read from a letter from Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey, saying Kahalewai showed "a sincere desire to bring peace and stability to a foreign nation." The letter announced that Kahalewai had been awarded the Bronze Star for valor displayed in combat.

Another letter awarded Kahalewai a Purple Heart for his wounds.

"We are here to honor a beautiful person," said Pastor Alan Tamashiro in a prayer. "We stand here as grateful Americans, humble with the knowledge there are true heroes among us," he said.

"Sgt. Henry is in a place where there are no more sorrows," he said.

Funeral director Reed Tsuji announced that a basket of flowers was available for onlookers who wanted to place flowers on the casket. Debbie Kahalewai and her children were the first to do so.

Kahalewai's cousin Joseph Aguiar was another who placed a flower.

"When I put my flower, a part of my heart goes with it," he said.