Orphaned Dikito kids remember good times with parents

Ewa Beach kids struggle with parents’ absence

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When four Ewa Beach children come home from school, Mom and Dad aren't there.

It is tough getting used to losing two parents in a murder-suicide. Their 39-year-old father, Domingo "Bunny" Dikito, shot their mother Della Dikito, 38, and then killed himself.

Bronlyn Dikito and her sister, Brenna, were at home that April 25 night when the shooting occurred.

The 8-year-old Brenna witnessed her father shooting her mother.

Blayne Dikito, 18, regrets not being there to protect his mother.

"My dad was called Mr. Aloha," he said. "He was a nice guy. I wouldn't have thought he would do something like that out of the blue."

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For four Ewa Beach children, the toughest part about losing two parents in a horrific murder-suicide was simple.

Diner helping family Big City Diner is offering to donate 15 percent of the meal tab to the Dikito children when supporters download a special page from the chain's Web site, www.bigcitydinerhawaii.com. Two aunts of the orphaned children work at the restaurant chain. Their parents had little savings, no insurance and no will, said cousin Talia Quiocho, 26, who is assisting with their affairs. They also have support from their maternal grandmother, who has moved in with them, and others including Quiocho and her sister. The Queen Liliuokalani Children's Center has helped with bills this month, funeral clothing and food. Donations by check can be made payable to Blayne Dikito and mailed to Big City Diner's office at 94-800 Ukee St., Waipahu 96797.

"Not seeing them any more," said Bronlyn Dikito, 13, who attends Ilima Intermediate School.

The three girls -- 8, 13, and 15 -- and one son, 18, come home every day after school or work to their two-story, four-bedroom house, but Dad doesn't come home at 3 o'clock anymore and Mom's not home at 6.

Bronlyn and her sister, Brenna, 8, were at home that April 25 night when their 39-year-old father, Domingo "Bunny" Dikito, shot their mother, Della Dikito, 38.

The 8-year-old witnessed the shooting. Domingo then went out to the garage and turned the gun on himself.

Blayne Dikito, 18, regrets not being there to protect his mother.

"My dad was called Mr. Aloha," he said. "He was a nice guy. I wouldn't have thought he would do something like that out of the blue."

His parents would have fights like any other couple, Blayne said.

"I was always there, so he wouldn't do anything," he said. "Just that one day I wasn't there. I don't know what set him off that badly."

His father began to change about the time Blayne started high school, he said. "After a while, he stopped talking story, start getting serious, stop joking around.

"He played it off like nothing was wrong," he said. "I know something was wrong. He never wanted my mom to go out."

Blayne, who admits to being a mama's boy, said his mother "was a big part of my life," adding. "She dropped my sisters off at school and helped with homework. Everything she did was for us."

Blayne is raising his own 8-month-old girl, Shyla, who lives on Maui with his girlfriend, who planned to move in with him and his parents.

"My mom was going to coach me on this one," he said.

"The way she raised me, I think I was raised well, and my three sisters," he said. "I think I can do the same thing."

The four spoke fondly of both parents last night in Waipio at Big City Diner, which is holding a benefit May 27 at its five locations to help the Dikito children.

Brenna misses her mom's spaghetti and going shopping with her for clothes.

She thinks about both her parents "a lot."

Their father instilled in each of them the love of baseball and softball.

"He was my coach," Bronlyn said. "I love it now."

"It made him proud," said Blayne, a pitcher.

Brelynn, 15, said, "With Mom, I could talk to her about girl stuff. And Dad, we could talk story and he would make me laugh and help me with softball.

"Mom was hard-working and she did everything for us. She put us before herself."

"Dad, he's someone you could just cruise with and talk to," she said. "He was a happy guy all the time. He liked meeting new people and could always make conversation."

Cousin Talia Quiocho flew in from Las Vegas to be with the youngsters hours after receiving the news.

"It's overwhelming to think all we have to deal with -- what's going to happen to the home, the kids," she said.

Services will be held 11:30 a.m. Wednesday for Della Dikito at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel, with visitation starting at 9 a.m.; and 9 a.m. May 22 for Domingo Dikito at Mililani Memorial Park, mauka chapel.

CORRECTION DATE The funeral service for homicide victim Della Dikito is at 11:30 Wednesday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel, with visitation starting at 9 a.m. A Page A6 article yesterday incorrectly reported that the service started at 9 a.m.