Thousands of Farrington High School students, parents and alumni packed the school’s front lawn Monday evening to bid an emotional farewell to senior football player Dayne Ortiz, 18, who disappeared after his kayak capsized in waters off Mokuleia on Saturday.
Rescue personnel from the Coast Guard, Honolulu Fire Department, city Ocean Safety division and state Department of Land and Natural Resources joined dozens of volunteers in a massive but so far fruitless effort to locate Ortiz.
Ortiz’s empty kayak was found washed ashore Saturday evening. On Sunday morning, divers recovered two pieces of board shorts that Ortiz’s family confirmed belonged to him.
The Coast Guard called off its search Sunday evening. HFD personnel are expected to resume their search efforts at first light today.
At Monday’s gathering at the school, emotions swung from raw grief to fond remembrance as players, coaches and school officials expressed sympathy to the Ortiz family and shared memories of the talented athlete and devoted outdoorsman.
Speaking of behalf of the Farrington football team, senior linebacker Pumba Williams remembered Ortiz as a hard worker on and off the field and a person who took to heart the team’s motto of "One team, one family."
Williams shared the field with Ortiz on Friday, when the Governors fell to Mililani in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Division finals. On Sunday he and his teammates combed the beach at Mokuleia looking for any sign of their lost "brother."
On Monday, Williams returned to school.
"Every day I would look to the parking lot and see his white truck, and I knew he’d be there at practice," Williams said. "Today I looked over, and for the first time his truck wasn’t there."
Relatives described Ortiz as a quiet kid who loved fishing and hunting and whose sometimes stoic demeanor belied a bright intellect and a warm personality.
Head coach Randall Okimoto recalled how Ortiz worked diligently in practice to become a key piece of Farrington’s vaunted defensive unit.
"He was a joy to be around," Okimoto said. "He made me a better person."
Okimoto said the loss of one of his young charges was devastating.
"You can’t help but look at these players as young children," Okimoto said. "It doesn’t have anything to do with the game. You just want them to be able to grow up and live good lives."
While Ortiz’s parents chose to remain at Mokuleia, several other relatives were on hand to represent the family at the gathering.
"There is so much love here," said Ortiz’s uncle David Paracuelles. "Our family is touched by everyone who came out to support us. We are so blessed."
Farrington coaches and administrators said there has been a huge outpouring of support from the local prep football community since news of Ortiz’s disappearance broke over the weekend.
That was evident Monday as Mililani football coaches and players elected to cancel practice so they could attend the gathering.
"Some of our parents suggested it, and our players wanted to be here," said Mililani head football coach Rod York. "Our president and (athletic director) arranged for the buses. It was an easy choice for us. We just wanted to come and show our respect for the young man."
Long after the speeches and tributes songs and prayers had ended, hundreds of Ortiz’s teammates and fellow students lingered on the darkened lawn sharing hugs and laughs and memories.
"We lost a brother," Williams said.
