Carlsbad -
This Memorial Day marks a day to remember our fallen soldiers.
It also marks the two-year anniversary of the fight that took the life of a popular La Jolla surfer.
Friends and family gathered at the Carlsbad Lagoon on Monday to remember Emery Kauanui, a surfer that died just days after a fist fight in front of his La Jolla home.
More than 1,100 peopled showed up to remember Kauanui, according to organizers.
"My brother was a great kid. It's unfortunate what happened, but today we're trying to make the most," said Caleb Aero, Kauanui's older brother.
Caleb is an artist known for creating amazing art by spraypainting. He used his talent to create a portrait of his brother. "My contribution is to recognize him and to do something everyone can appreciate," said Aero.
Emery Kauanui's life was cut short two years ago when five young men, one of whom intent on retaliation after a beer-spilling incident at a La Jolla restaurant, went to Kauainui's house in La Jolla, The men, Eric House, Matthew Yanke, Orlando Osuna, Henri Hendricks, and Seth Cravens got into an altercation with Kauanui at around 1:00 a.m. that morning. One fatal punch from Cravens killed the promising young surfer. Kauanui died four days after the fight. A long and emotional trial followed with Cavens apologizing to the court and Emery's family. "I pray that you guys find some peace and comfort. I'm really sorry to my own family, and everybody that had to go through this with me," said Cravens, back in February, after he was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the killing.
Whether it was family or friends that experienced the trial, many of them gathered at the Carlsbad Lagoon knowing that Emery was looking down and smiling, they said. "I'm just happy right now. I'm sure he's looking down on heaven with a big smile on his face," said Cindy Kauanui, Emery's mother. "Just to see this many people come out for this event on Memorial Day, and to honor my brother as well, is a blessing," said Nigel Kauanui, Emery's brother.
Friends and family said they hope the event happens again next year.
Caleb is an artist known for creating amazing art by spraypainting. He used his talent to create a portrait of his brother. "My contribution is to recognize him and to do something everyone can appreciate," said Aero.
Emery Kauanui's life was cut short two years ago when five young men, one of whom intent on retaliation after a beer-spilling incident at a La Jolla restaurant, went to Kauainui's house in La Jolla, The men, Eric House, Matthew Yanke, Orlando Osuna, Henri Hendricks, and Seth Cravens got into an altercation with Kauanui at around 1:00 a.m. that morning. One fatal punch from Cravens killed the promising young surfer. Kauanui died four days after the fight. A long and emotional trial followed with Cavens apologizing to the court and Emery's family. "I pray that you guys find some peace and comfort. I'm really sorry to my own family, and everybody that had to go through this with me," said Cravens, back in February, after he was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the killing.
Whether it was family or friends that experienced the trial, many of them gathered at the Carlsbad Lagoon knowing that Emery was looking down and smiling, they said. "I'm just happy right now. I'm sure he's looking down on heaven with a big smile on his face," said Cindy Kauanui, Emery's mother. "Just to see this many people come out for this event on Memorial Day, and to honor my brother as well, is a blessing," said Nigel Kauanui, Emery's brother.
Friends and family said they hope the event happens again next year.
