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This site is not intended as a crisis or hotline web site. Local crisis
hotline numbers can be found in the front of your NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE 1 800 273 TALK OR 1 800 273 8255
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Breaking the Silence... WALK 2003 Breaking the Silence Walk 2006 Donations/Donor Campaign
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This page is under construction and in draft form. Kaniela is the son of Pua and Danny Kaninau, a brother to Hoku and Tricia Peneku, Anela and Dean Chung, John and Lisa Shmooka, Kris Latz, Jorel Kim, uncle to Kaila, Logan, Stone Garcia, Kaiwi, Kalama Chung, Kaiana and Kamana Peneku. Kathy and Ryan Sanchez was his hanai parents along with Kris's grandparents. The Campbell family, Laurel, Bobby, Makana (his brother too), Nainoa, Aunty Bernie was his home away from home. Daniel Dabbs, his mom, brother was where he went to watch movies (and eat). Kani had so many dear friends...Sheryl, Gracie, Ipo, Jamie,, Samantha, Bronson, Justin, Jung, Cymri, Darren, and the list goes on... Kaniela loved to go on trips. He went to California with his sister and family every summer for about 5 or 6 years. He went on a ski trip to Bend, Oregon, surf trip to France, Spain, and the outer islands, etc. He had so many great experiences, for such a young person, in such a short time. He loved staying at home watching videos, eating Papa Johns Pizza on Fridays. Kani was a very talented individual. He loved photography, wrote poems, stories, created an artistically presentable brochure for class. ↓ He loved playing his ukulele and was passionate about skateboarding with his friends.
He never made a big deal of his talents. he was a very humble guy. Kani was well mannered when he went to his friends homes. Their parents would tell me how helpful he was including helping with dinner or a meal. I was very proud of Kani in all his achievements.
by Kani age 10 - Waikiki Elementary School His last semester in school was a huge challenge. He was not completing his assignments. The notes from school were constant. He was chronically late. Slept more than normal. Short tempered. Argumentative. These were all signs of depression. I didn't know. I knew we were going through a struggle but I thought he was being rebellious for his independence. He was getting ready to graduate and wanted to have his own place with his best friend and cousin. I just gave him permission to go to California for the summer with the boys. Just the week of his death he was talking with his brother Hoku, making plans about his future. Kani did not plan to die. He did not want to die! He just wanted the pain to stop! He didn't plan this... In one moment...he was gone from me...from his sister, brother, niece, nephew, friend, principal, teacher...forever. His spirit is strong amongst us all, the Memories are Alive and THE STORIES ARE being retold time and time again. We cry, we laugh but mostly we try our best to make sense of it. Maybe there is no sense to make of it...because we truly will never know. BUT ...WHAT WE WILL KNOW, LOOKING BACK is that DEPRESSION is the #1 cause of Suicide. Looking back after reading about DEPRESSION and Suicide/Prevention, most suicides can be prevented. EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO SUICIDE PREVENTION! If you are a parent who is going through a similar experience but your child is alive, please do not hesitate to get professional help today. If you would like to contact me, email me. Pua Kaninau |
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*Hawai'i S.P.E.A.R. Contact # (808) 271-8582 2630 Maunawai Place, Unit C, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96826 Send mail to hawaiispear@aol.com with questions or
comments about this web site.
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