Man with flu-like illness dies after Big Island visit

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Health authorities in Baltimore are investigating the death of a promising college student from Pahoa on the Big Island who developed flu-like symptoms shortly after returning from Hawai'i.

HULTMAN

Doctors have ruled out severe acute respiratory syndrome and meningitis but were testing for a dozen other illnesses that can cause flu-like symptoms, said John Buettner, a Washington College spokesman.

Hultman returned to Washington College from Hawai'i on Jan. 14 for the start of classes, Buettner said.

Five days later, Hultman went to the emergency room at the Chester River Hospital Center, complaining of flu-like symptoms. Because he had recently spent time abroad, in Hungary, he was transferred to the University of Maryland Medical Center for more extensive testing. He died a week later.

Washington College alerted people on campus to report flu-like symptoms, Buettner said.

Hultman's dormitory suite was sterilized. No other health complaints have surfaced, according to Buettner.

Hawai'i's state epidemiologist, Dr. Paul Effler, was notified of Hultman's death and spoke to Maryland officials who said they sent samples to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

Hawai'i Department of Health spokeswoman Laura Lott said authorities are awaiting the test results. Meanwhile, people who may have had close contact with Hultman are advised to monitor their health and report any unusual symptoms to a doctor.

Hultman's death shocked friends of his family in Pahoa who described him as a "near-genius" with a magnetic personality who could have become anything from a standup comic to president of the United States.

"He would definitely take the road less traveled," said Cindie McAnish, whose son was Hultman's best friend at Pahoa High School. "He found beauty in things that other people would have thrown away. He made everybody around him laugh and everybody happy. He would always be the focal point — everybody just gravitated to Simon because that's the way he was. He was intelligent like you wouldn't believe."

The youngest of 10 children, Hultman was a senior majoring in international studies, with a focus on East Asian studies. He spoke at least three languages.

Buettner said Hultman spent part of his sophomore year at Meiji Gakuin in Japan and studied last semester at the University of Pecs in Hungary.

Marylou Beardsley, a friend of the family who first met Hultman at Pu'ula United Church of Christ, recalled him roughhousing with his nieces and nephews at the family home and reading to them. She said he was deeply affectionate with his large, extended family.

"He was the kind that would accomplish whatever he decided he wanted to do," she said.

McAnish remembered Hultman being called up to receive one honor after another at his Pahoa High School graduation, but said he was modest about his accomplishments.

"That comes from good upbringing," she said. "His father was his hero, and when his father passed on, (Simon) gave the eulogy himself and, being the youngest of 10 kids, that was quite an honor for him to speak.

"Simon loved life, and didn't waste a moment."

Hultman is survived by his mother, Diane, and siblings Patty Amey, Elizabeth Hultman-Saleen, Esther Forbes, Sharon Beauchan, Cameo Mead, and Jack, Rebecca, L. Stephen and Joseph Hultman.

A service will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 7 at Pu'ula United Church of Christ in Pahoa. At Washington College, a memorial service was scheduled for today.