Dayna Ho Henry, daughter of the late Don Ho, died of an accidental drug overdose, the Honolulu medical examiner's office said yesterday.

Ho Henry, 52, was found unresponsive at the Waialua home of a friend on May 11.

Autopsy findings were deferred pending lab tests, which confirmed the cause of death as "toxic effects of methamphetamine" and the manner as accidental. The police case, classified as an unattended death, has been closed.

Ho Henry died nearly a week after thousands turned out for a public scattering of her father's ashes in waters off Waikiki. A news photograph taken at the ceremony showed Ho Henry in the water, holding the side of a canoe carrying Ho's widow, Haumea Hebenstreit Ho.

Dwight Ho, Dayna's brother, who has served as Ho family spokesman since the death of their father, yesterday said the 'ohana is saddened by the medical examiner's findings.

"She loved us all, and we miss her deeply," he said.

Ho Henry and Dwight Ho were two of Don Ho's six children with his first wife, Melvamay Ho, who died in 1999.

Family members would like to remember her for what she did — help others in need, her brother said.

He had fond recollections of his sister.

"Dayna had the gift of mercy," said Ho. "She knew when someone was hurting, and would come to their aid. She put her life on hold to take care of my grandmother and mother in the final months of their lives.

"She visited my father three or four days a week until his passing and admonished me for not making time to see him more often."

Ho said his sister had many strong and pleasant memories of her time with her father, and of the time she spent as an entertainer with the Don Ho show.

"When reflecting on favorite memories of my father, Dayna said she most treasured my father proudly introducing her as the best dancer in Waikiki," Dwight Ho said. "The years she spent dancing for my father were the happiest of her life."

As for the news that Dayna Ho's death was connected to drug use, Dwight Ho said, "We're still trying to get through it all, and it deepens our grief to learn how she died."

A private service for Ho Henry was held May 26, with family members and church members attending, at the Ho residence in Lanikai.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.