Emily T Gail Talk Story

Dr. Frank and Laura Sayre's son Daniel Sayre at the age of 25 lost his life in a hiking accident in Pololu Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii 20 years ago. (photo of Danny and Frank and Laura and daughter Laura). Fire Rescue personnel risked their lives to recover Daniel's body ...The Sayres learned the county had no program to honor rescue personnel who go above and beyond the call of duty. They wondered why the Fire Department did not have ropes long enough to into the island’s deep valley, a safer option than using a helicopter in some circumstances.Laura and Frank decided to buy two sets of rappelling ropes for the county — one for the Hilo side on the east and one for the Kona side on the west — at about $1,500 apiece and honor the fireman who had risked their lives to recover Daniels body.And that was the start of the community supported Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation to raise funds for much need rescue equipment began. Saturday Sept. 2 they will celebrate 20 years and more than 1.75 million dollar