Aiea couple say son died while helping others

The parents of Marc Ma, a 21-year-old defensive end for the Nevada Wolf Pack football team and an ‘Iolani School graduate, say their son died trying to save others.

Michael Ma said by phone from Nevada that his son was paddleboarding on Lake Tahoe on Friday with five other students from the University of Nevada when the wind shifted and started to blow them out.

“The kids got into trouble,” he said, including three of his son’s teammates and two women on the school’s track team. “They were kind of far out. That’s what we’re getting from the kids and the people on shore.

“Marc was the closest to shore and decided to go and find somebody to help,” he said. “He ended up trying to swim in to get help. I don’t think he realized how cold the water was.”

Ma said he suspects hypothermia was a factor in his son’s death.

“He lost his life serving,” Ma said. “He was trying to save. He was not aware of the rescue efforts going on.”

Meanwhile, a woman on shore who owns a personal watercraft company got help, and the other five paddleboarders were rescued.

“By the time they got to Marc’s board, Marc wasn’t there,” Ma said.

Michael and Michele Ma of Aiea plan to remain at Lake Tahoe until the body of their son, the youngest of their three children, is found.

North Tahoe (Calif.) Fire Protection District officials were called shortly before 3:30 p.m. Friday to Obexer’s Marina West Shore, a gas dock about 700 yards offshore. The search was suspended at 5 p.m. Saturday, after all options were exhausted, Placer County (Calif.) Sheriff’s Office announced. It will continue recovery efforts.

Ma said he and his wife, Michele, have been touched by the outpouring of support from the community in Reno, Lake Tahoe, Hawaii and elsewhere, the university and his team.

Someone in Hawaii created wristbands that say “marcwouldgo,” and people are using the hashtag on social media posts.

“Since we’ve gotten here, we didn’t realize how close to God he got, how many lives he’s touched,” Michael Ma said.

Marc Ma’s mother said that after she got cancer several years ago, an aunt prayed for her and invited her to church. She asked Ma to join her if he was interested.

“His knowledge (about religion) escalated so much faster than mine,” she said. But “it was just his character” that moved him to risk his life for others.

‘Iolani School issued a statement: “Our entire ‘Iolani community is deeply heartbroken and saddened over the news of Marc’s accident. He was a tremendously talented student athlete who inspired his classmates, teachers, and coaches. He never stopped chasing his dream of playing Division I football.”

‘Iolani football coach Wendell Look said, “Marc always put others ahead of himself even until the very end.”

Ernette Au, his advanced-placement psychology teacher, said she served as Ma’s adviser, both spiritually and academically, even after he graduated.

“Football was his love, next to God,” she said. “His family was important to him, and making them proud was one of his desires.

“He loved the fact that he played D-I football,” she said. “One of his dreams was fulfilled when they won a bowl game.”

His team beat Colorado State last year in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl.

A good friend from kindergarten through high school, Spencer Kiehm, said Ma was “extremely friendly,” adding, “He wanted to be liked by everyone, and he was. That part of him didn’t really change. He was really social.”

“He’s very respected as a player,” he said, often staying late to get extra drills in after practice at ‘Iolani. “I wasn’t surprised he moved on to play college ball. He loved football.

“He’s one of the most enthusiastic, friendliest guys I knew on campus, but on the field he’s really competitive, like he had a dual personality. He knew how to turn it on when he needed to.”

Kevin Manuel, Ma’s ‘Iolani defensive line coach from the intermediate level to varsity, said he and other coaches were shocked and saddened by the news.

He said Ma was a leader with an incredible work ethic and set the standard for the team. “He was the trendsetter … the role model.”

“He wasn’t recruited heavily among the Division I schools,” he said. “He put himself out there. … He asked to walk on. … He was considered undersized for his position. The only way he could stay alive is his work ethic.

“I wasn’t surprised he was the last guy to make sure everybody’s OK. Definitely unselfish. Definitely put others before himself.”