Cindy Kauanui says something good has come out of Monday's memorial for her son Emery, who died after an assault by five men in San Diego in 2007.

The memorial event, held in California, for the professional surfer from Kauai was attended by more than 2,000 people, she said.

Cindy Kauanui said if Emery were alive today, he would be happy to see that such an event went to benefiting young surfers and bringing together diverse people at his favorite surf break in La Jolla.

“;The spirit of Hawaii is now here in La Jolla because of Emery,”; she said.

His mother said be- sides launching a professional surfing career, Emery was working on surfboard designs.

“;Surfing was his passion,”; she said. “;Emery was a lover of the ocean.”;

Family and friends held the memorial Monday at Wind 'n' Sea Beach, where a surfing site is now called Emery's Left.

The event featured Hawaiian entertainment, including hula, and a raffle for prizes, including two round-trip tickets to Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines and a five-day hotel stay, she said.

Kauanui said the proceeds will go to help pay for youngsters' entry fees for a youth surfing contest and also for the prize of surfboards to winners.

Emery Kauanui attended Koloa Elementary School on Kauai before his family moved to San Diego in 1992, after Hurricane Iniki devastated the island.

The five men involved the attack were sentenced to prison, including one who is serving 20 years to life.

Kauanui said she hopes the memorial helps to foster a sense of community that prevents the kind of attack that killed her son.

“;We want to bring the aloha spirit here,”; she said.