Jaime Kaluna’s friends and family say he was a loving and giving man. Those who knew the 39-year-old ‘Ele‘ele resident, knew he had a troubled past, but say he was moving on in life. Kaluna was loading an ATV onto
Jaime Kaluna’s friends and family say he was a loving and giving man.
Those who knew the 39-year-old ‘Ele‘ele resident, knew he had a troubled past, but say he was moving on in life.
Kaluna was loading an ATV onto a pick-up truck Saturday night, according to the Kaua‘i Police Department, when it flipped and killed him.
He left behind three children: Jenna, Jamie and Josiah. Family members state Kaluna spent the past several months getting to know them better while camping, swimming, surfing and riding the family’s all-terrain vehicle.
He was also known for helping out the elder hospital program for those 55 and older, teaching them Hawaiian words and history. “Jaime was working for the elder hospital program and there were about 20 of us at this program and Jaime was working with people old enough to be his parents and he showed such patience and kindess and obvious enjoyment of what he was doing,” said one participant who asked not to be identified. “He took the time and made the effort to do special things for some of us.”
“He just won all of our hearts,” she said.
Friends said he was very proud of his children and was considering pursuing accounting. “He spoke to me of his children and how proud he was and it was close to his daughter’s sixteenth birthday,” said the Mainland elder hostel participant, “And how he was wanting to continue his education and get his degree in accounting.”
“He said he hoped his children would get an education,” she said.
Kaluna was also employed as a deckhand at Na Pali Riders, a visitor tour boat group. His co-workers spoke highly of him, according to family members.
“He did have many positive sides — we all have our faults,” said the elder hostel participant.
Services for Jaime Kaluna are set for April 21 at the United Church of Christ in Hanapepe.
