Surfer killed by shark mourned
Associated Press
KAHANA, Hawai'i — The family of a surfer killed by a shark scattered his ashes at sea yesterday following a memorial service that included surfers paddling from shore with lei and flowers.
The surfers formed a circle around a double-hulled canoe carrying members of Will McInnis' family. Prayers were said and "Hawai'i Aloha" was sung.
Will McInnis
The family was taken further out to sea, out of sight of those at Pohaku Park, to scattered the ashes of McInnis, 57, of Kahana, who died Wednesday at Pohaku Beach.
The service began at the park, where more than 100 people gathered to form a prayer circle.
"I felt Will's love with me," Shane Basques said.
McInnis' elder son, Clay Fraser of Bend, Ore., where McInnis also had a home, said his father treated everyone like family.
"If you didn't know him, I'm sorry," said Fraser, who attended King Kamehameha III Elementary School and Lahainaluna High School.
Fraser, who turned 29 Tuesday, carried in his pocket the last e-mail he received from his father, a birthday greeting.
Younger son Mark McInnis, 23, a college student from Oregon, said he used to surf S-Turns with his father.
The popular west Maui surf spot was where Will McInnis was bitten on his right leg by a shark about 300 yards from shore.
A number of people got him ashore and used shirts and towels as a tourniquet. But the loss of blood was substantial and he died.
It was the first confirmed fatal shark attack in Hawai'i waters in nearly 12 years.
Following the service and spreading of ashes, Hui O Pohaku Park, the surf club McInnis belonged to, prepared a feast.
