Ride in Paradise!!!

                                                                                                                              

In December 2010, I lost a friend by a hit and run driver. I first met Zach playing baseball at a really young, which this carried on all thru high school. We traveled together whether they were outer island tournaments, or flying to Japan. He graduated in 2010 from Moanalua High School, and then was awarded a scholarship to HPU as a pitcher. Zach; because of where the school is located parking was a real problem, plus he didn’t have a car all the time, so he started riding his bike- then he fell in love with riding. He soon joined up with a club who would pedal their bikes all around the island and just being happy, and enjoying life. Zach loved God and always read his bible, in fact as a pitcher whenever he got to the mound he would remove his hat and look into his cap where he had a saying, which he always read to himself. Life was perfect in his eyes, he had the best family, many relatives, not to mention the circle of friends, whether they were baseball, basketball, football, or bike riders EVERYONE loved Zach, there wasn’t anything anyone could say bad about him. 

On December 18^th, the first call came at around 11:30p.m. Staying Zach was in an accident and at the hospital near my home- I rushed to my parent’s room and said, “we have to go, Zach was in an accident!” Then the second call came he passed away I was in shock, denial, maybe this is a dream, maybe my friend made a mistake? Anyway my whole family jumped in the car got to the hospital and there were about 80 people already they’re crying, screaming, in shock, just wondering around the parking lot.  I saw Aunty Daphne (Zach’s mom), I hugged her hard, and she whispered, “He’s gone Bronson” I will never forget this night. No one really knew what to scythe pain was unbearable. Our whole baseball team was together, our coach, all the baseball families- everyone was just in shock.  Then Aunty Daphne, told me it was okay to see Zach, a part of me wanted to because maybe just maybe- he’d be okay, the other part was afraid not knowing what I would see.  I proceeded with my mom, it was as if he was sleeping, mu mom held his hand, I just sat there trying to figure out everything, hoping he would open his eyes. 

After leaving the room I just couldn’t understand how this was possible – Out of 40 bike riders how is it only he got hit? Then to think how can anyone hit someone, just drive away – go home to there warm bed go to sleep as if nothing ever happened? The crowd continued to gather in this parking lot – together we all just kept near to each other not really saying anything except WHY?  How is this possible?  By now there must have been about 100 people – everyone knew each other – we all ended with us getting into a circle, holding hands and praying together. Then all the good byes as we all drove home it was a numb feeling, yet so painful, crying was just endless.  Then next day was a sick feeling, and still numb. That morning my mom and dad went to the site where they walked around the area finding pieces of his bike, then they found the site where he was lying, there they placed a plant and a baseball.

            In the days to come he had 3 different memorials, one was held at an elementary school, there had to be over 500 people coming and going. His church prayer group which was intended to be for just the friends, but when the word got out WOW put this on! The second service was a Ghost Bike Memorial, which I have never heard of.

Anyway we all met at the site all the bike riders came together with there bikes, they roll in a bike which is painted all white, the chain it to the closest street sign, then bike riders add thing to this bike. One bike rider places, gloves on the hand bars, one hung his medal from a bike race, leis, flowers, pictures. Then a few feet away where he passed away also turned into a over flowing site of balloons, flowers, stuffed animals, fishing poles, boogie boards, baseball gloves which lives on until today – his site is still covered with all kinds of gifts.

The third service was the final good bye – this was something unbelievable, as you looked around at the amount of people you can’t help but wonder how amazing for someone only 18 years old to have touched so many people – I would say there were close to 1000 people the church was packed, the other room which was opened for the over flow was also packed, it was standing room. I couldn’t handle all the emotions, but at the same time I couldn’t help but feel so proud of him and what he did to have touched so many hearts.

Time went by, and it rolled right into our final baseball season in High School. We dedicated this season to Zach and his family. So, our opening game uncle Dennis (Zach’s dad) threw out the first pitch, this was so hard to handle its like all those emotions started up all over again – and I was the pitcher. We all had such a hard time but after the first inning, we got into the game and got into the purpose of this season and the fire was bigger and brighter then ever. This brought our team, the families, the coaches closer then ever – which made graduation a bitter sweet moment. On our team we had 12 seniors all split up to different colleges but we all shared so much together something will bond us together always.

Now that I look back I still don’t understand why him, why then, and how is it that guy was never caught? But it’s something I guess I’ll never know or understand.  I have never lost a friend; I’ve go to funerals for grandparents, uncles’ aunties, but never a friend so close to me. Zach has opened my heart and my eyes to go for all the goals and dreams I have. My dream was always to go away for college from 7^th grade, and play baseball, and here I am living on my own, going to college, and playing baseball. I think about Zach every time I step onto that pitching mound – I know he’s watching and smiling.

If there was anything out of this, I know I need to appreciate my family and friends and let them know every chance I get. I am also aware of bike riders who ride on the road, before I just never paid any attention to them, in fact I would get all irritated saying these guys shouldn’t be on the road. So, my whole out look on that has changed, I am very cautious, aware, and patient.  Before we left for college the bike club called Zach road there bikes to promote sharing the roads with bikers, and for the legislature to do something with the roads in Hawaii where the lanes can be widen so the cars and bikes are able to ride together. Even the mayor road with them!  This is all because of Zach and an essay he wrote in school about bike safety on Hawaii roads. I can’t help but feel so proud of who he was and what he has accomplished.