Memorial grows for fireworks blast victims as state social workers help neighborhood
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Department of Health social workers have been going to door to door in the Aliamanu neighborhood where a massive explosion from illegal fireworks killed three women and injured dozens more.
There’s a growing memorial of flowers in the carport where the New Year’s fireworks blast went off with ferocious and deadly force.
On the side, candles pay tribute to the three women’s lives cut short and more than 20 people who now suffer traumatic, life-altering injuries.
A man stoically power washes the driveway of the home on Keaka Drive where the blast happened. He identified himself as the uncle of one of the victim’s who died, Jennifer Van, 23.
He lives down the street and said he’s here to help.
Violeta Jacinto Ramos, 86, lives alone across the street and two homes down from the blast. She’s worried fallout from the explosion may have damaged her roof, but her working son won’t be able to inspect it until the weekend.
“It’s scary,” said Ramos. “I hope they will be banned the fireworks already.”
Two social workers from the state health department say the people who live across the street from the explosion told them they have to move because of damage to their home.
They also met with others in the neighborhood.
“Mostly people are showing some damage to their home. They’re talking about how their body was impacted. They’re talking about the loss of the people that they grew up with or that they knew or they had a connection to,” said social worker Kathleen Merriam.
Merriam has responded to disasters from New York’s 9-11 terror attacks to the Lahaina wildfires to this mass casualty in Aliamanu.
“I’ve been focusing on listening, just being an ear, just reaching out to people here. People have been open and grateful that they have somebody to talk to,” said Merriam.
Besides the sounds of cleaning, there is a stillness to this neighborhood as people cope with the physical and emotional ruin.
If you or your loved ones need help, you can call or text the crisis line at 988.
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