Family and friends of a 19-year-old whose body was recovered Tuesday morning near the Halona Blowhole lookout lit candles at his family home in Port Jervis, N.Y., Tuesday night, according to a friend’s Facebook post.
Tajhee Malik Williams died after he was swept into the sea near the lookout — the fourth young man to die in recent weeks along the Ka Iwi Coastline.
A gofundme account (gofundme.com/RIPTajheeMalik) to help with funeral expenses had grown to more than $1,080 Tuesday night.
He had recently moved to Hawaii with a group of young men for a job opportunity, said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. David Jenkins.
“Tajhee Williams was a young man with a bright future,” the site says of the man. “He will be greatly missed by so many who knew him. He was a smart kid and was always helping with his brothers and sisters. His parents are heartbroken.”
The operator of Field of Dreams Pumpkin Patch near Williams’ home shared on Facebook that he is dedicating the 2015 Field of Dreams patch in memory of Williams, using some of the donations to help cover the cost of sports fees and equipment for Williams’ younger brothers.
Firefighters on personal watercraft recovered Williams’ body from the ocean about 7 a.m. Tuesday near the lookout. The Medical Examiner’s Office identified Williams on Tuesday.
He was swept off the rocks at about 6:20 p.m. Monday, and firefighters searched unsuccessfully by helicopter, personal watercraft and rescue boat. Coast Guard crews also joined the search.
Witnesses said Williams was hiking with a friend, city Ocean Safety Division Lt. James Sloane said.
Witnesses also said “they looked a little out of place,” wading into the water at the Halona Blowhole Cove (From Here to Eternity Beach), with their shoes on, Sloane said.
Two soldiers — Caleb Colins, 22, and Shylein Andrews, 21 — died in the area on July 25.
The two men were on the rocks taking pictures at Halona Cove when a wave swept Andrews into the ocean. Collins tried to help and was also swept into the ocean, officials said. A third man who was also swept into the water was able to climb back out.
On Sept. 8, Seaman Andrew Villolovos, 21, was killed after being washed into the ocean while hiking just outside Hanauma Bay.