Knife accident victim remembered as brilliant and kind

A 7-year-old Kalihi boy who died after falling on a knife while playing at his home Sunday was described today as brilliant and kind student.

"There were times I would just expect to see him running across the playground," said Gaylen Ramolete sits next to an empty desk in her kindergarten class at Kalihi Waena Elementary School knowing the student that sat there for nine months is no longer here. "I cried at not just the loss of a child but of a loss of someone who had leadership potential for his community."

Strong words about a seven year-old child but Anson Willy was not your ordinary student.

"He always looked for personal connection and he was a deep thinker and for such young child to be that articulate and reflective at such a young age shows you that this person had a lot of depth," said Ramolete.

Willy was an accomplished reader who also excelled in math and art. A special accomplishment considering he and his family only recently moved to Hawaii from Chuuk in Micronesia. English was his second language.

"This young man who I know would have made a difference in the lives of so many people when he grew up and he’s no longer with us."

Ramolete understands the pain of losing a child. She’s dealt with the deaths of two of her own children.

"No one can really prepare you for the intense emotions that a parent goes through," she said. "And especially when it’s unexpected, that I think is the most devastating thing for any parent no matter the age of the child."

Anson’s parents continue to ask for privacy but still don’t know why he was playing with a knife with his siblings. Ramolete says those details aren’t important right now.

"It’s not right to pass any judgement on what happened or the details of a person’s death especially when it’s a tragedy but to have empathy and sympathy and respect for the people who are suffering," said Ramolete.

Her attention is on his classmates.

"Dear Anson, thank you for coming to Hawaii and the angels will watch you. It is okay we will miss you," she read from a letter written by a student. "I know that you’re in heaven, God is going to watch you and we are going to pray for you. Thank you for coming to Kalihi Waena Anson. We will miss you very much. We love you."

Ramolete will personally deliver the letters to the family. Funeral services for Willy are still pending.