Ryan Suenaga and newborn baby K (Queen's Hospital, October 2008)
My heart is broken tonight.
A long-time friend, Derek, with whom I have mutual friends online and offline called me tonight to give me the horrible news: our friend Ryan Suenaga had died in a tragic hiking accident on the Olomana trail on the windward side of `Oahu. It was surreal. I was in disbelief. Ryan, 44, was passionate about fitness. He was a Type II diabetic and had lost 80 lbs. since 2002 through a disciplined commitment to diet and exercise. He had done bike rides (such as the Century, 100 miles) and ran a marathon. He enjoyed hiking with his friends. Today, he died doing one of the things he enjoyed most.
Known as @rsuenaga, he was well-respected and loved on Twitter. He was always willing to lend a hand, no matter how busy he was. I have been the beneficiary of his help on many occasions. One of my fond memories of him was when he came to see Lil’ K in the hospital when she was born. He was one of the few friends to meet her in the first hours of her life.
Me, Ryan, and Shari at the Wahiawa Hongwanji bon dance (Summer 2007)
He was also a part of our bon dance posse. We could always spot him a mile away, thanks to his signature brightly-colored JAMS shorts. I had been looking forward to seeing him this summer at the bon dances.
There is so much more I want to write, to remember – but first, I must process. And mourn.
Ryan Suenaga, you will be missed, my friend. We love you.
Ryan Ozawa wrote a wonderful tribute to Ryan Suenaga on the Hawaii Blog.
More articles:
- Update: Man who died after falling from Olomana trail identified – Hawaii News Now (April 24, 2011)
- Hiker’s death mourned by friends, family, social media [VIDEO] – Hawaii News Now (April 25, 2011)
- Dead Hiker Remembered [VIDEO] – KITV News (April 25, 2011)
- HI Social Media Community Mourns Hiker’s Death: Ryan Suenaga Lived Life Publicly Online – KITV News (April 25, 2011)
More Ryan:
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5 Responses to Mourning the loss of a friend
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Donna: I am so sorry to learn about the loss of your good friend. It’s always hard to lose someone close. My thoughts are with you.
Jeannette
I am so sorry. He sounds like a wonderful person and friend. Will be thinking about you.
Meredith´s last [type] ..While my elbow gently weeps
[...] Mourning the loss of a friend Donna [...]
Thank you Donna for this heartfelt tribute to Suenaga-san. I’ve learned so many things about Ryan in this past week that I didn’t know previously. I am sad and I also regret not taking the opportunity to get to know him better. I am very thankful that I had the honor of meeting him a couple years back at the Mililani Bon Dance. And that is thanks to you, my friend. Yes, twitter may not be the same but I think Ryan impacted so many with his sincerity that at least for now, the local twitter community has leaned the importance of being supportive and tolerant of one another. Hugs!
Oh my goodness Donna, you knew Ryan too! I knew him from when we (my ex-boyfriend and I) used to hang out together in the early 90s. They used to worked for Hale Kipa…needless to say I was shocked and saddened as are, I found out, many others. We are all so lucky to have known him, however short or long…my condolences to you and all of Ryan’s friends and family…