It was their first trip to Kauai.
Although bad weather scrubbed a kayak-and-hiking tour on Friday, Crystal Abrahim described Saturday as sunny. “It turned out to be such a beautiful day. We were like, ‘We hope it stays like this.’”
But in an instant, the gushing water in the stream near Secret Falls went from knee-deep to chest-deep — the pressure and pounding causing Abrahim and her older sister Aimee to lose their grip on the rope they were holding to reach safety. Both were swept downstream by powerful currents.
While Crystal was able to pull herself out of the water using a tree branch, Aimee lost her life.
They had been in the middle of the stream, heading back to their kayaks, Abrahim recalled Wednesday. “Within seconds, the water became so insane,” she said during a phone interview from El Cajon, Calif.
Abrahim described her older sister as selfless. “She reached out to so many people and had the biggest heart. She’s the most amazing, beautiful, caring person that I’ve ever met.”
Kauai firefighters found the body of the pharmaceutical sales representative of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson &Johnson on Sunday morning. Aimee Abrahim was attending a conference at the Grand Hyatt Resort &Spa during her visit to the Garden Isle. Her younger sister joined her on the trip after their parents bought her a plane ticket as a birthday present when she turned
23 on Nov. 28.
Aimee Abrahim was the oldest of four. “She just shined through. She was a beautiful ray of sunshine,” Crystal Abrahim added. “Anything we needed, we would go to her. She took care of us. … She loved us unconditionally.”
The younger Abrahim recalled how she and her sister had wanted to do something adventurous.
The five-hour kayak tour started at 1 p.m., during which they paddled up Wailua River and then hiked to Secret Falls. While they were at the falls, the sisters heard thunder. “I was so anxious to go back,” the younger woman said. “I just wanted to go.”
As the tour neared its end, the weather service issued a flash flood warning for Kauai at 4 p.m.
At about 5 p.m., the Abrahim sisters were following a guide, holding onto a rope as they crossed the stream. When they reached the middle, knee-deep waters quickly rose up to their chests in a matter of seconds. “The water was pounding on us.”
“We were right in the middle where the current was the hardest. It just happens so quick,” Abrahim said.
After the sisters were swept downstream, Abrahim said at some point she heard her older sister and saw her holding onto something. “She called out my name and she was crying.”
Abrahim said the currents carried her for at least five minutes, slamming her into tree branches and rocks. When the currents subsided, she grabbed a tree branch and pulled herself out of the water.
The Fire Department initiated a search, and a rescue helicopter airlifted Abrahim and other visitors from the tour group out of the area. The Kayak Wailua guide stayed behind to continue searching for her sister. “He did everything he could,” Abrahim said.
She described Aimee as an “angel on earth.”
A Roman Catholic, Aimee was a godly woman who texted Bible verses to her family daily.
Though she wishes the kayak tour had been canceled Saturday, Crystal Abrahim said she doesn’t hold any ill will toward the tour company. “I don’t wish anything but prayers because they’re going through a lot too.”
“It was a freak accident,” she said.
The state is continuing its investigation of the accident. In an emailed statement, State Parks Division Administrator Curt Cottrell said Kayak Wailua is “a permitted operator of long standing with a good compliance and safety record.”
Cottrell declined further comment as the investigation is underway.
State Rep. Nadine Nakamura, who represents District 14 that covers Hanalei, Princeville, Kilauea, Anahola, Kapaa and Wailua, said, “I would really encourage DLNR to meet with the Wailua tour operators and users of the river to have the dialogue and communication about what the future protocol should be given what took place, given that tragedy.”
When hazardous conditions arise, DLNR typically closes Kalalau Trail and Hanakapiai on Kauai and the state informs the public of the closures. “That kind of communication protocol, I think is going to be needed,” Nakamura said.
State Rep. Ryan Yamane, chairman of the House Water &Land Committee, said, “This brings up a larger discussion on what is the responsibility of just businesses in general regarding how they should conduct themselves during a warning or a watch.” He plans to meet with DLNR, first responders and the tourism industry to get their input.
Abraham is also survived by her father, Habib Abrahim; mother, Silvana Abrahim; and brothers Ivan and Ivas Abrahim. Services are pending.
A GoFundMe account has been created to help the Abrahim family with funeral expenses and to start a foundation under Aimee Abrahim’s name to benefit a cause to aid children. Those interested in making a donation may visit gofundme.com/walking-angels.
