HONOLULU (KHON2) — A heartbroken community is remembering two teens who died in a tragic fishing accident at Kaena Point. Family members say they’re grateful for the outpouring of support.
Relatives describe Maikah Hampp-Iriarte as a homebody who loved hanging out with family and friends and was trying to be a guiding light in the Waianae community.
Now his family is trying to find their way, as they mourn his loss, as well as Tony Siufanua, his best friend since kindergarten.
“We missing him man, both him and Tony,” said Justin Iriarte, Maikah’s cousin. “It’s a hard, hard one. So young.”
The two 17-year-olds died while fishing off Kaena Point on Saturday.
“We have so many questions, so many wonders,” said Jaysha Hampp-Iriarte, Maikah’s sister. “Like what happened, how did he feel, what happened to him, but we’ll never know. Only he knows.”
Maikah Hampp-Iriarte grew up fishing with his family, which is what makes this incident so confusing. Family members say he also loved football, playing since Pop Warner, but had to quit after a neck injury a couple of years ago.
He was an artist who journaled regularly and put his passion on paper. And he also started sharing his faith.
“Every day he would send a prayer to me, or just bible verses, telling me how much he loves me,” said Jaysha Hampp-Iriarte.
“He ordered some rosaries,” said Justin Iriarte. “He was getting into church on his own and passing it out to his friends, doing some positive in the community. Positivity out here in Waianae. You don’t see too many 17-year-olds doing that stuff.”
Family members gathered with some of Hampp-Iriarte’s beloved possessions – his dog Tita and his red golf cart, which he was known to drive around the neighborhood.
“He hangs out with his friends, picks up his friends,” said Jaysha Hampp-Iriarte. “They go hang out at the park or their house. And then sometimes he would even help the elderly, if they were walking home with groceries, he would ask them if they need help and take it for them.”
All that has come to a tragic end. And his family is left with memories and aloha.
“Maikah, we love you and we really heartbroken man,” said Justin Iriarte. “Everybody just, our heart aches.”
“I know that they would be proud that this is what they want the community to do,” said Jaysha Hampp-Iriarte. “To come together and comfort each other and be there, instead of all the negative stuff that’s been going on.”
“We lost Maik, we lost without you,” said Justin Iriarte. “Just know we love you.”