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A personal tribute
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Posted on Oct 06 2005
Ben Govendo was a very good, close friend of mine. During this past summer, months before this all happened, Ben and I met at Ebisuya and we both caught up on life. He mentioned to me that he was going to be a merchant marine. I thought that was great for him, being the type of individual that Ben always was—he loved trying different things, seeing the world, practicing martial arts, and just being cultured. I wished him the best of luck and told him where I would be this fall.
A week before his fatal accident, Ben had contacted me personally on my cell phone and asked for my help. He mentioned that he was coming to Hawaii for his merchant marine training (which I remembered) and needed me to find him a good, inexpensive place to live for two weeks—somewhere close to where his training would be happening. I offered him a place at my apartment (which is only a one-bedroom unit) if he wanted to, but he said it would be alright. So since we last spoke, I have been finding places for him. But just today, after catching up on the news from home…I am just in total shock. I thought that it was only an accident. But after further reading the story, I could hardly feel my fingers as I try to type this message. I lost one of my very best friends in the world.
Ben and I were always so kewl. We would do almost anything for each other. I guess it just came with the territory of both our families being friends over such a long time. Both of our fathers share the same professions and it trickled down to us, you know? I really wish I could be home right now to pay my respects to my great friend, but I guess all I can do from here in Hawaii is cancel his reservations and just pray for him and his family.
My deepest sympathy,
Gabriel White
Honolulu, Hawaii
