"The idea of giving Kalani an eternal resting place befitting of the beautiful human he was is more heartbreaking than these words could ever express."
Ain’t anything in the world like outliving a child. And, for the parents of the surf-skate superstar Kalani David, dead of a seizure while surfing in Costa Rica three days ago, it’s a nightmare they’ve gotta live with for the rest of their lives.
I’ve been back and forthing a little with Kalani’s daddy David the past few days, and the depth of sorrow, the immensity of his suffering, is obvious in his missives.
Right now, his kid is in Costa Rica, and he wants to get him to Florida so he can be buried next to his beloved grandfather. When he was little, David says, Kalani had nightmares of his body being burned into ashes. David promised him that’d never happen.
And, so, a gofundme has been set up to repatriate Kalani, with thirty-four k needed.
After only three hours and with six days until the funeral service, seven gees has been raised.
A race against the clock, as you can imagine.
Kalani’s stepmom Andrea writes,
“Our son is laying in wait at a morgue in San Jose, Costa Rica. He died of a massive seizure while surfing a remote area on Saturday, September 17. I’m already here and didn’t think twice about whatever I had to do, to make this happen. I am not prepared and the idea of giving Kalani an eternal resting place befitting of the beautiful human he was is more heartbreaking than these words could ever express.
“The list is beyond my ability to take in right now. Preparation, international flight, repatriation process, casket, service and eternal resting place, is something I find myself just broken in tears over. We wish to bury Kalani next to his grandfather, where his immediate family and relatives will follow at Florida Memorial Gardens. Where he can be visited and talked to. Guided if possible, by immediate family.
“I honestly believe Kalani would prefer Hawaii but that seems an impossibility right now. How much can I cover or ask from the people Kalani loved around the world? It just doesn’t seem fair either way. I wish it was me and it didn’t even matter? It’s my son and I want to see him on the weekends, sit by him and listen for his spirit. Which sounds tragically sad but it’s the least I can try for. He deserved more than I could ever give him and I don’t even feel right for asking but I will for Kalani. I don’t want my son in a jar or spread on the water, as I would see fit for myself. I want to give him a place you can go see him and know he is listening when you share your feelings with him.”
What caused his seizure?
Why are all these athletes dropping dead in their prime?!? Heartbreaking….
DO NOT DONATE ANYMORE TO THEM IT IS BULLSHIT HIS REAL FAMILY ARE WORKING TO GET HIM BACK TO HAWAII NOT FLORIDA HE IS NOT FROM FLORIDA AND HAS NEVER BEEN THERE HIS DAD AND STEPMOM ARE PLAYING ALL OF YOU
DO NOT DONATE TO THEM. 56 point print! Roman. or below,
https://i.stack.imgur.com/B…
Go Blow goats…
He is dead
The bottom feeders all come out to let us know what mental midgets they really are.
Get a purpose in your life and leave everyone else alone.
Pathetic behavior
DO NOT DONATE TO THEM..that is not his mother it’s his stepmom and they bailed on him when he was 18 sold all his stuff and put him on the curb. His dad is a peice of shit and stole everything from him when he found out Kalani did not want him to mange his career anymore he left him for dead basically his real mom and sister live in Costa Rica and are dealing w getting him back to hawaii where he wanted to be when he passed….DO NOT HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE ONLY AFTER MONEY LIKE DAVID DAVID AND ANDREA DAVID THEY ARE SHIT PEOPLE
REALLY?
Once again the righteous surf community that was so jealous of Kalani David’s talent they would BOO at him (at such a young age) at contests and that came from the parents who pushed their kids to be the best they could be as Kalani’s parents did.
Andrea is his mother who was there 24/7! Was his biological mother there?I love the fact that none of the kids on North Shore and that that surfed with him would not be his friend…lead again by incredible jealous parents.
Why was he embraced by Rory and his family, Bubba etc? Because they saw the awful behavior and tried to protect him from the hurt of these people.
All of you that are writing these posts not supporting the parents of a child that has tragically died are beyond sick individuals.
Have you lost a child?
Do you have any?
Have you not seen eye to eye with them at times? Or your parents?
If this so called “community” that “cares”
Is going to hold their own service, raise funds( not sure for what), get legal permission to get be the guardian of Kalani’s body flown back to the USA and bury him in a plot with a headstone then WHY aren’t you all doing it?
The nerve of you all to deprive a parent who has just lost their child the freedom to painfully ask for help to bring their child’s body from Costa Rica to the back to the U.S.is unbelievable.
Why don’t you all get your helmets back on, get on the short bus that will stop at your house and keep licking windows! Because it is none of your business what happened to the sponsorship money, prize money etc.
Why not stay out of it and stay in your own lane OR go clean up the beach from all your plastic.
He was not from HAWAII!
He grew up there plus he was a white boy that kicked everyone’s ass at a young age in surfing and skating which made the Hawaiians Crazy because they felt it should be their children getting sponsorships, magazine covers, articles written about them, PAID plus attention not a privileged mainlander.
It’s so disgusting that you all have no moral compass but choose to act without compassion, sympathy or kindness during a time in people’s lives who are grieving unimaginable about Kalani.
Asking a lot here… could any of you try to imagine how they will even get out of bed, survive the next hour or let alone the day?
What can we all expect from such a close minded group that needs so much attention that makes it all about them even during death.
Again, REALLY…
Yes REALLY. His dad is a piece of shit. And from the sounds of it, you might be him hiding behind other peoples names.
The worst feeling in the world. To lose a family member. May the Jesus Christ look to that family and ease some pain.
Good luck to all who go into the water, especially if you’re vaxxed.
IYKYK.
The most joy and love I’ve known comes from the experiences I’ve shared with my daughter and her mother. I can’t imagine this pain. It sounds like his parents did a great job in his life and want to continue doing so in his death. True warrior spirit! The light that we leave behind never dies!! Peace and love to all that loved and knew him.
Truer words never written. Couldn’t fathom my kids passing before me. Dropped a few greens in honor. Hopefully our BG community can cover 10% of this ask.
Yo Derek, this is a scam. This GoFundMe is a scam.
How so?
Bunch of NS folks that are friends and family of him calling it out on ig.
“My mom wakes me up at 5:30, we go run, do exercises at home, eat some breakfast, out in the water before eight o’clock. Home by 10, if it’s really good I stay out longer. Come home, do some school. After I do school, I play drums, I surf, and then I skate.” RIP Kalani
Let’s make it about you dude.
Bc quoting something he said makes it all about me.
Damn that’s so heart breaking to read.
“I’m not feelin you anymore…but the fish!”
https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx….
DR: writing a eulogy is brutal…great words on this obit/respect!
Does travel insurance not cover repatriation of remains and so on? Hope they manage to get him back stateside.
Yes, it does. Subtext is he obviously didn’t have travel insurance.