We are writing to express the collective gratitude of Jonathan Werner’s family and friends for the people of your community who worked so hard to save his life. Our son drowned while swimming at the Waipio Valley beach. Although our pain is as terrible as you would expect, we have been buoyed by the stories of those who witnessed this horrific event and assisted in the attempt to save him.
Jonathan’s girlfriend, Carla, who was with him that day, told us of the people flying down the beach and diving into the water to help pull him out. She talked of the encouragement she received from people all around as she performed the breathing part of CPR for 30 minutes. The first responders were sensitive and kind, allowing her some moments to lay with him on the beach after his death.
After she returned and as we prepared for his memorial service, we heard from several people who were with Jonathan that day on the beach. One, Johnny Fox, wrote to Jonathan directly, saying, “We tried so hard to save you.” He told us that Waipio beach was a sacred place where Hawaiian kings and queens went to die. Several others communicated loving and kind words as well.
We will grieve for our son for the rest of our lives and will always miss his humor, boldness and compassion. We will also never forget that in the last moments of his life, he was with the person he loved most in the world, at a holy and breathtakingly beautiful place where brave heroes surrounded him, trying their best to keep him here on Earth.
Thank you to all the wonderful people of Hawaii! We will never forget. And some day we will visit this beautiful place to honor him. Aloha, till we meet again!
Sincerely,
Mary and Terry Werner
Lincoln, Neb.