Chelsie Evans Enos experienced this devastating tragedy in February when her son Treʻ Evans-Dumaran, a Maui firefighter, died at age 24 after responding to a call to remove debris and create a safer water flow for residents during flooding in Kīhei. He was swept through a storm drain and about 800 yards out to sea, dying from his injuries more than a week later in the hospital.
In her grief, Enos and her husband are honoring Tre’s short life and legacy through their new Live Like Treʻ Foundation.
On Saturday, they held a fundraiser for the foundation at the University of Hawai‘i Hilo Gym. Similar events were held on Molokaʻi and Maui.
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The money raised will fund scholarships with a focus on student athletes in single-parent households, students who have the desire to become a pilot, and students born to teen parents. Funding also will be available for training and uniforms for new and upcoming firefighters.
“A lot of parents brought their kids to honor him and teach our kids what it means to be kind,” she said.
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The event featured a basketball tournament, raffle, inflatables for keiki, music and memorials in his honor.
Live Like Tre’ Day was held at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo Gym on June 10, 2023 to commemorate the life of Tre Evans-Dumaran, a local firefighter who died at 24. (Megan Moseley/Big Island Now)
Live Like Tre’ Day was held at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo Gym on June 10, 2023 to commemorate the life of Tre Evans-Dumaran, a local firefighter who died at 24. (Megan Moseley/Big Island Now)
Live Like Tre’ Day was held at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo Gym on June 10, 2023 to commemorate the life of Tre Evans-Dumaran, a local firefighter who died at 24. (Megan Moseley/Big Island Now)
Live Like Tre’ Day was held at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo Gym on June 10, 2023 to commemorate the life of Tre Evans-Dumaran, a local firefighter who died at 24. (Megan Moseley/Big Island Now)
Live Like Tre’ Day was held at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo Gym on June 10, 2023 to commemorate the life of Tre Evans-Dumaran, a local firefighter who died at 24. (Megan Moseley/Big Island Now)
“We have a slide show of pictures of him throughout his life,” Enos said. ” We also take you on his journey through the pathway of the different stations that tells a story about him.”
Enos’ husband, Kanoe, the stepfather of Tre’, said the memorial showed Tre’s drive and determination in life. Displays showed his struggle in the hospital, his passion for flying, and his love for being of service to the world.
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“People are very supportive just because of the absolute tragedy,” he said. “I think everybody who comes out, can see their son, see their nephew in Tre’. …
“Everyone can grieve for someone, but if you don’t embody the things that they did then you’re not really honoring them. If you want to honor somebody, you will try to live as pono and just as kind and loving as he did or else you’re taking the life for granted.”
Megan Moseley Megan Moseley is a full-time journalist for Pacific Media Group. Her experience ranges from long and short-form reporting to print, digital, radio and television news coverage. In Hawaiʻi, she's worked for local media outlets and has covered a wide range of topics including local and state politics, environmental affairs, Native Hawaiian issues, travel, tourism and education. She covers the West for Restaurant Hospitality.
She's a 2010 graduate of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Magazine Journalism and specializations in Geology and History. She's currently working on her master's degree from New York University and Ohio University and is focused on conflict resolution and peace practices in indigenous cultures in the Pacific.
Megan can be reached at [email protected]. Read Full Bio
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