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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, January 23, 2008

'I hope there's a healing out of this'

Photo galleryPhoto gallery: State Capitol Vigil
 •  Family, friends gather to remember Tupuola
Video: Thousands hold vigil for toddler, beating victim
 •  Higa abused meth, has had mental problems, father says
StoryChat: Comment on this story

By Mary Vorsino
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Aliyah Bellefeuille of Wai'anae rides on the shoulders of her uncle, Wiggy Uiki of Pearl City, as hundreds of marchers make their way around the state Capitol in memory of toddler Cyrus Belt and Janel Tupuola. Relatives of Cyrus and Tupuola attended the march.

ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Some came to heal.

Others came to voice their anger.

But all agreed that the violence has to stop.

Hundreds marched around the state Capitol last night to remember two victims whose lives ended too soon. Some held signs with large photos of Cyrus Belt, the 23-month-old thrown off the Miller Street pedestrian overpass Thursday to his death. Others wore T-shirts with photos of Janel Tupuola, who was beaten to death in Kailua one week ago today. A former boyfriend is in custody.

"I felt like I just couldn't sit back anymore," said Hawai'i Kai resident Luella Tahara Sufrin, as she marched last night with her 13-year-old daughter, Megan Sufrin. "I'm still overwhelmed by it all."

Relatives of Cyrus and Tupuola attended the march and subsequent candlelight vigil, which included prayers and a moment of silence for both victims.

Nancy Chanco, Cyrus' mother, was at the vigil. In a statement read on her behalf, she said, "We want to thank you for your strong support at this most difficult time." As it was being read, tears streamed down Chanco's face. She was comforted by relatives and friends.

More than 30 members of Tupuola's family marched yesterday.

Tupuola's mother, Maile Badajos, said she was there to stand up for other women who suffer from domestic violence. She said the public outpouring of support, evidenced in the attendance yesterday, has also helped her grief.

"It makes me feel good," she said.

Tupuola, a mother of five, was buried yesterday.

Her family wore matching shirts with her photo on them to the funeral and yesterday's march. Others wore black ribbons.

"She lived life fully," said Sissy Bellefeuille, Tupuola's cousin. "She was a very loving, caring person."

For many, the march gave people an outlet for their anger and grief.

Others said the gathering provided them with a sense of closure.

"I want justice to be done for him (Cyrus)," said Kaipo Perez of Makiki, who was standing with his wife in front of the Capitol before the march started.

Nearby, Linda Kalopodes stood with a large photo of Cyrus. She was crying.

"I can't believe something like this could happen here," said Kalopodes, a grandmother who several times has been to the overpass where Cyrus was killed to leave teddy bears and other mementos.

Michele Hauser, who lives Downtown, wore a black lei to the march.

"I hope there's a healing out of this," she said.

Tina Rogers, who is undergoing treatment at the Salvation Army center in Kaimuki, knew Cyrus and his mother, and had last seen them five months ago.

"He was such a rambunctious boy," she said.

Rogers came to the march with her 9-month-old, Kalia Love.

Suzanne Green, a domestic violence educator with the state Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said the vigil and march were designed to allow people to heal. They were also meant to take a stand.

"We don't want to forget," she said. "We want to honor their memory."

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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