Drunken-driving memorial a 'well of strength and hope'

By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer

The trio of bronze figures, each with a hole in its heart, stand atop a concrete pillar eight feet above Kaka'ako Waterfront Park and represent different things to different people.

A sculpture of three figures, each with a hole in its heart, was dedicated at Kaka'ako Waterfront Park to honor victims of drunken driving. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Gov. Linda Lingle called the statue a memorial "to the innocent victims." And Wendy Hamilton, MADD's national president, said it serves as a "well of strength and hope."

Donna Borengasser was glad that people had so many different interpretations for the statue dedicated yesterday at the 'ewa end of the park's waterfront promenade.

Her longtime boyfriend, Honolulu police officer Dannygriggs Padayao, was killed in 2001 by a drunken driver while Padayao laid down flares at the scene of a traffic accident. Nine weeks later, Padayao's sister, Nani Fernandez, was killed by a drunken driver on the Big Island.

The statue by Manoa artist John Koga "belongs to Danny, belongs to me," Borengasser said. "It's something personal for whoever sees it."

MADD is still raising money to pay for the $50,000 statue and $10,000 for maintenance costs.

The Hawai'i MADD chapter considered listing the names of the state's 1,500 drunken-driving victims since 1982. But the research would have been overwhelming and then organizers came "to the unfortunate realization that each year there would be more names to add to the list," said Carol McNamee, founder of MADD-Hawai'i.

Darrin Manu didn't realize that so many people in Hawai'i have died because of drunken driving. His sister, Johnelle Tapu, 36, of Waipahu was one of the latest. She was killed Feb. 22 on H-1 Freeway.

Manu was joined by 16 of Tapu's family yesterday. "This is the first time dealing with this MADD program," he said "It was surprising that there's so many victims' family members."

Yesterday's dedication was a mix of sprinkles and sunshine, sadness and hope.

McNamee called it "a very special and sad day for MADD ... A historic day and a bittersweet day."

Surf pounded the shoreline and a dark sky threatened rain. Then sunshine hit the monument as Robert Gore, a lawyer from Virginia, spoke about the day 17 years ago when his 24-year-old son and 24-year-old daughter were struck by a drunken driver who crossed the center line as they all drove out to the North Shore.

Gore saw the crash as he drove behind in a separate car.

Some of the 100 people wept and Lingle wiped her eyes as Gore talked about seeing his son, Bill, with the rental car's engine in his lap and his unconscious daughter, Sally. Bill was pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor who was passing by. Sally died hours later at The Queen's Medical Center.

"This memorial is very important to me," Gore said. "I can come here and know the people of Hawai'i care."

Like Gore, other victims' family members said they plan to return to the site and think about those who died because of drunken driving.

"It's a peaceful setting ... for people to wade through their emotions," Hamilton said. "It's a tranquil place for victims' families and friends, people whose lives have been forever changed to come and find peace and solace in the midst of the storm."

Toward the end of the ceremony, victims' families laid down a rose or lei at the base of the statue to remember the dead. Then everyone held hands and sang, "Aloha 'Oe."

Borengasser was already walking away as people sang the final line of the song, " ... Until we meet again."

She plans on returning to the edge of the park someday soon to sit on one of the grassy hills, look at the memorial and think about Padayao.

Borengasser wants to place herself at just the right angle as the sun sets.

That way, Borengasser said, she can watch the sunshine fill up the holes in the statue's hearts.

Reach Dan Nakaso at 525-8085 or dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com.