Hawaii

Heartbreaking videos show couple on wedding day before groom drowned snorkeling in Hawaii

Published

2 years ago

June 12, 2023

Heartbreaking videos show couple on wedding day before groom drowned snorkeling in Hawaii

Heart-wrenching videos shared by a California bride whose husband drowned while snorkeling during their honeymoon showed her groom beaming in his tuxedo on their wedding day — less than three months before the tragedy.

Brittany Myers Phan shared a video on her Facebook page, set to the ZZ Top hit “Sharp Dressed Man,” which showed her groom, Steven Phan, standing on a sun-dappled porch in his stylish dark blue suit with a boutonniere for their March 20 nuptials in the Mexican resort town of Puerta Vallarta.

In the clip, Steven smiles while adjusting his cufflinks, and then turns to the camera to give a cheeky wink.

Several reels displayed on Myer Phan’s Facebook page documented the loved-up couple’s destination wedding, including the bride sharing a special moment with her mom while donning her crystal-embellished gown.

“To all the moms out there and especially mine,” Myers Phan wrote in the caption.

Phan, 49, is seen having fun while getting ready to walk down the aisle, just 10 weeks before his tragic death.

Facebook / Brittany Myers

That same video also included images of Myers sharing a passionate kiss on a balcony with her dapper groom.

A third video posted by Myers Phan showed off the couple’s customized white champagne flutes arranged on a table decorated with a pink floral arrangement and a sign that reads: “Cheers to Love.”

The bride wrote in the caption: “Cheers to the best day ever with the love of my life!”

Brittany Myers Phan and Steven Phan are pictured on their wedding day in Mexico on March 20. — Brittany Myers Phan and Steven Phan on their wedding day in Mexico on March 20.

But the newlyweds’ happiness proved tragically short-lived.

Brittany and Steven were celebrating the start of their new life as a married couple in Honolulu on June 1 when the husband vanished in the ocean off Electric Beach, which is popular with snorkeling enthusiasts.

Just before 10:30 a.m., paramedics were called to the beach in Nānākuli, Honolulu, for a report of a drowning.

By the time they arrived, Steven was in critical condition after being pulled unresponsive from the ocean, reported the Hawaii station KHON2.

Brittany Myers Phan and Steven Phan — Steven Phan drowned while snorkeling on his honeymoon on June 1.

Despite first responders’ life-saving efforts, the 49-year-old San Jose, California, resident could not be revived and died at the hospital.

To add to the tragedy, all of the couple’s possessions were stolen by heartless thieves who took advantage of the emergency.

“As If this could not be worse, all of Brittany and Steven’s belongings were stolen, the thieves took their cell phones, wallets, money, clothing, they even stole their car rental,” according to the description of a GoFundMe page.

As of Monday, more than $21,000 has been raised to help Myers Phan with her husband’s funeral expenses.

“We are all shocked, in disbelief, and heartbroken at the loss of such a great man as Steven,” the organizer of the online fundraiser wrote. “Steven always found a way to be a part of everyone’s lives, no matter the distance. Steven was a true friend and an amazing husband, Steven will be incredibly missed by all.

According to his LinkedIn page, Phan had worked as a manager at Apple in Cupertino, California, for more than seven years.

His wife, Brittany, has worked as an event planner since 2021, after pivoting from a years-long career in education.

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Hawaii

Last minute shopping at Hawaii Holiday Craft & Gift Fair

Published

2 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Last minute shopping at Hawaii Holiday Craft & Gift Fair

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – It’s down to the wire for holiday shoppers, with just a few days until Christmas.

For those looking for last minute gifts, the Hawaii Holiday Craft & Gift Fair is happening this weekend at the Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall.

More than 250 vendors are selling a variety of locally-made products, from clothing and jewelry to food and crafts.

Fair spokesperson Yasmin Dar joined HNN’s Sunrise to talk about the event organized by Sunshine Productions and showcase some of the available products, including scarves from Beads & Things by Kori and candies from the Hawaii Candy Factory, which produces NOMs in local flavors like Banana Lumpia Chocolate Bark, Campfire S’Mores, Peppermint Chocolate Crunch Bark, Li Hing & Lemon Peel Covered Gummies and more.

The fair opens at 10 a.m. and goes until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Buy tickets at the Blaisdell Box Office for $7 per person. Military families and children under 7 years of age are free.

More information and a $2 off coupon can be found at HawaiiHolidayFair.com.

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Hawaii

Pacific Century Fellows focus on strengthening Hawaii-Philippines relationship with special visit

Published

9 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Pacific Century Fellows focus on strengthening Hawaii-Philippines relationship with special visit

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Members of a prestigious leadership training program from Hawaii recently traveled to the Philippines on a special visit.

Former Honolulu Mayor and current President/CEO of the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association Mufi Hannemann founded the Pacific Century Fellows Program (PCF) in 1996, modeled after the White House Fellows program to empower emerging leaders across the state to solve local challenges.

Last month, this year’s cohort of 30 business and community leaders. along with some PCF alumni, met with Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who lived in Hawaii for 5 years, when his father, former President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., was ousted following a nonviolent revolution in 1986 and exiled here.

Marcos Sr. died in Honolulu in 1989, and the family was allowed to return to the Philippines in 1991 and rebuilt their political careers.

The fellows met with various Filipino leaders and discussed ways to boost business opportunities and tourism for both destinations, including more flights to Ilocos Norte, where many Filipinos in Hawaii have roots.

The group visited Ilocos Norte at the invitation of Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc and learned about Hawaii’s strong historic ties to the region.

For more information, visit pacificcenturyfellows.com.

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Hawaii

From scratch to real estate: The Indian family that built an empire in Hawaii

Published

17 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

From scratch to real estate: The Indian family that built an empire in Hawaii

In 1915, Jhamandas Watumull, a 29-year-old Indian entrepreneur, arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii, to establish a retail shop for his import business. Along with his partner Dharamdas, he registered the business under the name Watumull & Dharamdas on Hotel Street. The store specialised in selling exotic Eastern goods, including silks, brassware, ivory crafts, and other unique items.

Gulab Watumull’s father, Jhamandas, began the family business in Honolulu in 1915.(Flickr)

Tragedy struck in 1916 when Dharamdas succumbed to cholera. This prompted Jhamandas to invite his brother Gobindram to manage the Honolulu store while he oversaw business operations in Manila. Over the years, the brothers travelled frequently between India and Hawaii, strengthening their enterprise, reported the BBC.

The growth of the Watumull Business

The Watumull brothers renamed the business East India Store after Gobindram took charge in Hawaii. The company grew into a department store with branches across Hawaii and parts of Asia. In 1937, Gobindram constructed the Watumull Building in Waikiki to serve as the company headquarters. By 1957, the business had expanded into a multimillion-dollar empire with 10 stores, apartments, and various commercial properties.

The East India Store played a significant role in popularising the iconic “Aloha shirt.” In 1936, Gobindram’s sister-in-law Elsie Jensen created designs featuring Hawaiian motifs like hibiscus flowers, tropical fish, and gardenias. These designs were handblocked onto silk in Japan and became commercially successful. The shirts were embraced by tourists and even Hollywood stars like Loretta Young and Lana Turner.

A shift toward real estate

As Hawaii became a global tourist destination, the Watumulls diversified their business. They purchased the Royal Hawaiian Manufacturing Company and introduced matching family Aloha wear. Over time, the company transitioned into real estate, with its last retail store closing in 2020. In 2023, Watumull Properties acquired a major marketplace spanning over 205,000 square feet.

The Watumull brothers faced significant challenges due to restrictive U.S. immigration laws. Gobindram’s wife, Ellen Jensen, lost her citizenship under the Cable Act after marrying him in 1922. She later regained it in 1931 after advocating for legal reforms. Gobindram became a U.S. citizen in 1946 following a change in naturalisation laws for Indians. Jhamandas obtained citizenship in 1961 after permanently relocating to Hawaii.

The Watumull family contributed significantly to education, arts, and Indian independence. Gobindram supported India’s freedom movement and hosted prominent leaders in his Los Angeles home. The family’s foundation sponsored lectures by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan in the U.S. and facilitated the creation of India’s first birth control clinics. They also funded numerous educational and cultural programs in Hawaii and India.

The Watumull family remains deeply rooted in Hawaii, where their name is synonymous with philanthropy and progress. JD Watumull, the current president of the family’s company, emphasised their commitment to the Hawaiian Islands, stating, “The Hawaiian Islands continue to be our family’s focus today and in the future.”

Also read: Chhattisgarh couple marries by taking an oath on Indian constitution instead of saat pheras: report

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