The Honolulu Medical Examiner identified all four victims of the fatal fireworks explosion in Aliamanu during the New Year's holiday.
The victims were identified as 61-year-old Carmelita Benigno, 58-year-old Nelie Ibarra, 23-year-old Jennifer Van, and 3-year-old Cassius Ramos-Benigno.
The cause and manner of death for all four cases are listed as pending.
On New Year’s Eve, a fireworks explosion at a home in Aliamanu killed four people and left at least 20 other people with critical injuries. Benigno and Ibarra were found dead at the scene, while Van and Ramos-Benigno died later at the hospital after succumbing to their injuries.
The identities of Ibarra and Van were the first to be released on Friday, while the identity of Benigno was released on Tuesday. The identity of Ramos-Benigno was released on Monday, shortly after he died.
Van was an assistant manager at Central Pacific Bank's Wahiawa location. She had worked with CPB since 2019.
“We were deeply saddened to learn of Jennifer’s passing," said Arnold Martines, Central Pacific Bank, Chairman, President & CEO in a statement. "Her kindness, dedication, and vibrant energy positively impacted everyone who had the pleasure of working with her. The entire CPB ohana joins me in expressing our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
The victims were also identified on GoFundMe pages.
"Jennifer's infectious and outgoing personality touched many people, especially with her loud mouth and kindness," her sister, Tammy Van, wrote on a GoFundMe page she started to help with financial matters. "She was a devoted sister, daughter, and friend who selflessly supported our family financially and emotionally, especially through our most difficult times."
Tammy went on to say that their younger brother had been with Jennifer at the Aliamanu party on New Year's Eve, but in the chaos of the fireworks explosion he had struggled to find her.
"After a desperate search and several hours of distress, my parents finally located her in a hospital, only to learn that she had sustained life-threatening injuries. She was pronounced dead early that morning, where my parents witnessed their beautiful first born motionless, leaving us shattered and in disbelief," she wrote.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the GoFundMe for Jennifer Van's family had raised about $38,000.
Another GoFundMe page, which was later closed, described Ibarra as having “the biggest heart” and said she was loved by many. "Her infectious laughter and boundless generosity touched everyone she met,” wrote her stepdaughter, Ritchelyn Eliza Peterson.
The niece of Ibarra also started a GoFundMe page for her family. The niece, Sheena Turalva, said Ibarra and Benigno were sisters. She said her father, Tom, who was Ibarra and Benigno's brother, was critically injured during the fireworks explosion, along with her cousins Charmaine (Benigno's daughter) and Cherwyn (Ibarra's daughter). She said the money raised via GoFundMe would cover medical expenses, funeral costs, and support family members as they recover. As of Tuesday afternoon, this GoFundMe page has raised nearly $27,000.
Another GoFundMe page identified the 3-year-old boy who died as Benigno's grandson. This fundraiser also said Benigno's son, Junior, sustained extensive injuries during the explosion and her daughter, Charmaine, was "in the ICU with burns beyond recognition." Her other son, Cedric, escaped the fireworks explosion with his girlfriend and their four children with minor to moderate injuries, but that part of their residence was destroyed in the explosion. The fundraiser, started by Benigno's nephew, Rylan Benigno, said the funds raised would cover funeral and medical related expenses, and would help Cedric and his family. As of Tuesday afternoon, this GoFundMe page has raised nearly $17,000.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with the identities of Carmelita Benigno and Cassius Ramos-Benigno, the statement from CPB and information via GoFundMe. (Jan. 7, 2025)