Fatal fall hits family with another tragedy
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
A Hawai'i Kai man, whose father was a veteran Waikiki chef slain in December 2000 by a co-worker, fell 300 feet to his death yesterday at Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
The death of Warren Matsuda, 27, is a devastating blow, said family attorney David Minkin. "The family is completely shocked and devastated with this most recent tragedy," Minkin said.
One of Warren Matsuda's friends consoles Matsuda's mother, Colleen, at Makapu'u. Matsuda was killed in a fall yesterday.
A Kaiser High graduate who worked at Roy's Restaurant in Hawai'i Kai, Matsuda had gone fishing early yesterday morning with three friends. He was scheduled to testify Monday at the sentencing of his father's murderer, Tam Van Huynh.
Huynh was found guilty of second-degree murder by Circuit Judge Sandra Simms three months ago in a jury-waived trial in the killing of Tom Matsuda, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel's senior executive sous chef.
Tom Matsuda, 49, was stabbed following an argument with Huynh, a Sheraton food service worker at the time. Monday's sentencing has been rescheduled for Jan. 14 because of Warren Matsuda's death, Minkin said.
Warren Matsuda and members of his fishing party were headed toward the Makapu'u Lighthouse at about 4:30 a.m. but Matsuda went on ahead of his companions, according to police reports based on statements from the three men.
The trail down the slope to the fishing site is steep and narrow. As the three men were coming down the trail, they found Matsuda's fishing net but did not see him, police said. When they did not see Matsuda at the fishing site, the men began searching and eventually called 911.
A Fire Department helicopter spotted Matsuda's body at 7:30 a.m. Two fire rescue specialists were dropped at the scene by helicopter before his body was airlifted out. Matsuda was pronounced dead at 8:11 a.m.
His mother, Colleen Matsuda, still coping with her husband's death, was at the scene at Makapu'u lookout. "She hasn't even gotten over that and this happens," said Colby Morita, Warren Matsuda's cousin.
News of the latest death shocked co-workers.
"We're all grieving with them," banquet manager Robbyn Shim said. "Warren was a great person, truly a quality individual. He was on the quiet side but was a great example of a person, co-worker and friend. He's going to be missed."
Shim, who said Matsuda worked as a "food runner," recalled that he showed great strength when his father was killed.
