Two months after the sudden death of a Halawa inmate, the questions linger

Honolulu (Hawaiinewsnow) -The youngest and unexpected death of an Oahu inmate has left a family to request the answers of the state agency for the Halawa judicial facility.

Kawika Paia died on May 28th, just a few weeks after 37 years.

His loved ones gathered in Ala Moana Beach Park in June to celebrate his life.

“I am so sad because I miss my son and love him with all my heart,” said mother Rhodalene Paia of her only child.

Kawika Paia served a 10-year sentence for drug possession and shortly before his release date when he died.

“He was loved by everyone in our family. He loved playing Ukulele and singing for us and just laughing and joking with us. He was just this type,” said his cousin Kehau.

Almost two months have passed since his death, and his family still has many questions.

“We really want to answer from the Halawa prison, mostly because it happened there. What happened has happened there and we know that someone in this prison knows something,” said Kaumae.

The family says that the Foreign Ministry for Corrections and Rehabilitation does not report them in time for his death.

They said Paia was found unconscious on May 27 and brought to the Pali Medical Center. They visited him on May 28th and passed after the visit.

He died at 10:10 p.m.

Instead of being notified immediately by the state, they learned about his death the next morning when they appeared in the hospital.

“When we went in there to see him the next day, they only said:” Nobody contacted you? “And of course we said no.

The state confirmed that they followed the minutes by notifying the next relative, but the family said that the call had come hours after Paia's death.

In an e -mail to HNN, Tommy Johnson, director of corrections and rehabilitation, said that the examination had not yet been completed, and the inmate was hospitalized “because of an unknown state of illness”.

Paia was brought to the hospital with an overdose in Halawa the day before an incident, who sent three other occupants to the hospital.

While Paia had a drug story, Johnson added: “There is currently no indication of whether his death was associated with an overdose. The exact cause of death is determined by the medical examiner's office.”

The medical examiner's office said that the autopsy report is still pending.

Kawika's love also said that his personal things have not yet been returned to them and they hope to receive this soon.

Since the Paia Ohana only remains with his memory, they hope that no other families of inmates have to do with a similar heartache and want a clear reaction from Halawa officials.

“You have not returned to us and we just want to answer what happened,” said Kaudeae.

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