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How It Started
Danny’s Story - as told by Frank Sayre and Laura Mallery-Sayre
On
August 26th, 1997 our 25-year-old son Daniel Sayre hiked by himself to
the back of Pololu Valley to Kapaloa Falls. He was to leave the next
day to resume his college education at the University of Texas in
Austin. He knew he would be missing home and the beauty of the Big
Island. Danny loved nature and had a spiritual connection with Pololu
Valley - he called it his cathedral.
We
knew that something terribly wrong had happened when he didn't show up
for a pre-arranged meeting the next morning. The police informed us
late that afternoon, on August 27th, that his daypack had been found on
the trail next to a tree in the back of the valley. We will never know
for certain what happened on that day but we think he climbed out on an
overhanging limb to get an unobstructed view of the falls, lost his
balance and fell about 500 feet to his death.
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“We didn’t know what to do.” said Laura. Fortunately, three men volunteered to move on with the mission knowing that they were putting their own lives in danger. The captain, Russel Miyao, asked one more pilot if he was willing to attempt the rescue. When Chief Pilot David Okita agreed to go in, Fire Rescue Specialist James Kuniyoshi and Fire Equipment Operator Clarence Young volunteered to hang onto a cable under the helicopter and descend into the canyon. “We didn’t even know these men, but they were willing to risk their own lives to save our son.” added Laura. Meanwhile, Fire Equipment Operator Raymond Rowe Jr. counseled the Sayres and kept them informed of the rescue attempts throughout day.
The attempt was so dangerous in this narrow and deep bush-covered gorge, that the tops and sides of trees were being removed as the helicopter, piloted by David Okita, tried to hold steady while Firemen Young and Kuniyoshi dropped into the canyon to retrieve Daniel’s body, only yards away from a thousand foot waterfall. “These men are real heroes who have the ability and who know true compassion and empathy,” said Frank. One of the rescuers snapped a photo with a waterproof disposable camera.
| “How
do you repay people like them? How do you even say thank you?” asked
Laura. “We realized that despite the great dangers that rescue workers
face in the course of their work, they don’t get the same recognition
that others do, like police officers.”
“We
decided that a memorial fund honoring fire, rescue, and emergency
personnel was an appropriate way to say ‘thank you,’” said Frank. The
Sayre's decided to establish the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation
with Hawai’i Community Foundation as a way to memorialize the life of
Daniel, and to express their appreciation for the kindness shown to
them by “present day heroes”. |
Frank and Laura Sayre had to live through the terror of not knowing whom to turn to during their worst nightmare. Of watching the Rescue Team put their lives at risk more than necessary due to a lack of equipment. These men were willing to risk themselves to rescue their son, Daniel. Sadly, Danny did not survive, but the incident left them with a renewed faith in people’s pure kindness and compassion. And a dedication to providing equipment and training to keep others from suffering from tragedy.
“We invite others to contribute to this 501(c)(3) Foundation or to join us in our efforts,” said Laura. “We’ve been inspired by many people who have made a contribution and given of themselves for this Foundation. People want to make a real difference in Hawai’i. If all of us can help save even one life or help one person to stand taller then it’s all worth it.”
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