Grandfather's last act saves 5-year-old girl
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
In the split second he had to react before being hit by a car while crossing Wai'alae Avenue, Stanley Kaleilehua Kaina saved his granddaughter's life.
Kaina, 76, died Sunday at The Queen's Medical Center from head injuries sustained May 6 after being struck by a 1992 Ford Taurus driven by a 79-year-old man on Wai'alae Avenue near 2nd Avenue.
Big Island resident Kealoha Aiona of Keaukaha, the eldest of Kaina's 11 children, said a witness told the family that her father was crossing the street as he carried 5-year-old Cheyla Joice at about 8:15 a.m. Kaina threw the little girl out of harm's way when he saw the approaching car.
"He saved his granddaughter's life," Aiona said.
Frances Kaina, Aiona's sister, said her niece was not injured. Cheyla told family members that "Papa" pushed her to the side, Kaina said.
A woman who was at a nearby gas station saw the accident and ran over to help the girl. She shielded the child from seeing her injured grandfather, who landed on the driver's side windshield, Aiona said.
Police vehicular homicide investigators said Stanley Kaina was in a crosswalk when he was hit. His injuries did not appear to be serious at the time, but his condition worsened after he was hospitalized, police said.
Kaina's death is O'ahu's 30th traffic fatality of the year as compared with 33 on the same date in 2003. There have been 12 pedestrian deaths on O'ahu this year. Police are now investigating Kaina's death as a negligent homicide.
Stanley Kaina was a Papakolea native but moved to the Big Island to raise his family. He retired as a journeyman welder and moved back to O'ahu about 10 years ago after the death of his wife.
"He was the do-gooder of all do-gooders," Aiona said of her father. "When we were kids, he was always volunteering us to do stuff."
Kaina will be remembered today in a memorial service at Waimanalo Beach Park (Sherwood Forest) at 2 p.m. Inurnment services will be Monday at 1:30 p.m. in Hilo at Homelani Memorial Park.
Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.
