Second person with Big Island ties identified as a victim in private jet crash in Maine

A second person with Big Island ties has been identified as one of the six people who died in the Jan. 25 private jet crash in Maine, according to authorities.

Shelby Kuyawa, who had worked at two resorts on the Big Island, was aboard the Bombardier Challenger 600 that crashed shortly after takeoff from Bangor International Airport on Sunday evening during Winter Storm Fern. She was 34.

Nick Mastracusa, a chef who worked at the same two Big Island resorts, also was among the passengers who died on the flight, family members said. He was 43.

At the time of the crash, both were working for Beyond, a newly launched luxury travel company owned by Tara and Kurt Arnold. Tara Arnold also died in the crash. The jet was owned by the Houston-based Arnold & Itkin law firm, according to ABC 13 in Houston.

Beyond offered invitation-only experiences for wealthy clients, including high-end resort stays and culinary tours.

At Beyond, Kuyawa work working as a level-three sommelier and Mastracusa as chef and executive vice president of hospitality, the website said.

They both also worked at the Big Islandʻs Four Seasons at Hualālai and Discover Land’s Kūki’o Golf and Beach Club.

Kuyawa reportedly met Tara and Kurt Arnold while working at Kūkiʻo, according to the Daily Mail. She and Mastrascusa were recruited to take part in Beyond late last year.

Kuyawa had 15 years of experience at luxury hotels, resorts and private clubs, starting her career working for the Four Seasons in Vail, Colo.

At Discover Land’s Kūki’o Golf and Beach Club, she served as assistant food and beverage director overseeing restaurant operations, curating special events and directing wine education and training programs, according to a bio on the Go Beyond Luxury website.

Shelby’s love of hospitality traces back to her childhood living throughout Europe and Asia, where exposure to global cuisine, culture and tradition formed the foundation of her approach to service and guest experiences.

“Shelby shares her dedication to the craft with guests,” the website said. “She holds certifications through both the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, bringing a passion for the world of wine and a talent for making it engaging and memorable for everyone.”

Kuyawa was a graduate of New Mexico State University with degrees in hospitality management and German.

In Mastracusa’s bio on the website, it said he brought new life to beloved dining destinations at the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai, reopening Beach Tree and later the acclaimed ‘Ulu restaurant, both of which garnered national attention as top dining experiences in the islands.

“His leadership and creativity helped position these restaurants among the finest in Hawaiʻi, while his mentorship of young chefs and commitment to local community programs underscored his belief that food should both delight and inspire,” the website said.

In 2014, Mastracusa joined Kūkiʻo, one of the most exclusive private clubs in the world, “where he blended technical mastery with heartfelt hospitality.”

The website said he created new dining concepts, launched farm-to-table initiatives, and forged international partnerships with some of the world’s most prestigious wine and food producers, from Dom Pérignon to the Harlan family in Napa Valley to the legendary Vega Sicilia estate in Spain and the historic Antinori family in Italy.

Mastracusa was a husband and father of three small children A GoFundMe was set up by a family member for Mastracusa’s family.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the private jet had departed Houston and stopped in Maine to refuel before continuing on to Paris, France. After taking off from the Bangor International Airport in bad weather, it flipped over and burst into flames at about 7:45 p.m. Sunday. 

All six people on board were pronounced dead at the scene. The other victims who have been identified are pilot Jacob Hosmer, 47, and Beyond event planner, Shawna Collins. Authorities said one victim remains unidentified.

The crash remains under investigation, and officials have not released additional details about what may have caused the aircraft to go down.