Weird: The Murder/Suicide Victims Of The Aikau Family Honoured In Loving Embrace

Is it just to memorialise the better times of a violent end? In June, we posted a story about Gerald Aikau’s (nephew of Eddie) murder-suicide involving his seven-year-old son, Reef. It was terrible news – the kind that makes you consider the nature of humanity in silence.

Over the weekend at the 33rd annual Longboard Surfing Classic at Kuhio Beach, a banner and t-shirts for sale featuring a photo of Gerald holding Reef “In Loving Memory” were presented. Knowing the fate of Reef, who was stabbed to death, and Gerald, who hung himself from a tree outside their home, it’s a wonder how they could look so peaceful and content. Katherine Aikau, Reef’s mother was, understandably, chilled by the photo. She told Hawaiian News Now that her “Husband is a murderer and should not be honored at a surfing contest.”

“If you want to put a picture of Reef …that would be very honorable,” continued Katherine. “But to put them together is like erasing history and what happened. That Gerald murdered Reef… and to put the murderer with the victim, it’s just so heinous and outrageous and disgusting.”

China Uemura, the man behind the surf contest said he intended no disrespect. “Losing my boy Gerald and my boy Reef, it was hard for me … it’s more a dedication to them, and everybody at this contest going, ‘Beautiful picture, China. Beautiful picture of Reef and Gerald.’ I said, ‘Yeah that’s my boy and I gotta do something for them and I’m gonna miss them for the rest of my life,’” he said. He also added that all the money raised by the contest stays in Hawaii and his foundation has donated more than $200k to charity.

Still, the photo of the murdered and murderer in a loving embrace is enough to make your insides feel funny. It’s not right.