Nanakuli Neighborhood Grieves Over Stabbing Death Of Wendy’s Worker Kashka Otto
The Nanakuli community is mourning the death of 22-year-old Kashka Otto, a popular Wendy’s worker who was fatally stabbed Sunday at work during a dispute with a customer. Otto, a southpaw who graduated from Waianae High School and played club volleyball with Spike and Serve Volleyball, was characterized by friends as a kind soul full of aloha spirit.
The Incident: An Unfortunate Dispute
Honolulu police said everything started when a 60-year-old local man known to frequent Maili Beach Park, got into an argument at the Nanakuli Wendy’s with Otto. According to the report, either Cheney or Dick purchased food and then started setting up chairs and tables at the restaurant before Otto asked him to stop. The exchange devolved into an argument, in the course of which Cheney is said to have made a vulgar remark about Otto.
The fight spilled outside the restaurant where Otto allegedly punched Cheney in the face, police said. After being told to leave, Cheney then gravely wounded a second employee who was attempting to defuse the situation and killed Otto. Although Cheney was taken into custody on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, he has not been formally charged as of Monday.
A Community in Mourning
Outside the Wendy’s where he worked for a number of years, there is now a memorial to Otto. Former co-workers and community members have expressed devastation at the untimely death of a young man described as having great potential. Otto, she confirmed was the man who still had a smile on his face working 7 days a week… “down to serve everyone no matter what side of the fence you sit.”
One of Otto’s former teachers at Waianae High School, Chris Akana, said he was a polite student who remained friendly and respectful even after he graduated. Akana told the station that Otto was “a popular kid” and his death is not sitting well with anyone in town.
Kila, who lives in Nanakuli and is the local state representative, said he grieved for “the idea that … we ask our people locally to go to work … they go home that day with the intent of going home; but he’s not coming home.”
The suspects is known in the area
People in the area knew Cheney, who had lived in a tent at Maili Beach Park for years. Cheney had only a minor criminal record with citations for jaywalking and residing in a public park before the stabbing. Those actions on Sunday have the community upset and talking about alerting the violence.
Samantha DeCorte, Chair of the Neighborhood Board makes a point for all who fear walking alone in today’s society: “We have to be careful — we have to avoid any confrontation, any conflict, you know, because times are different now… if anything let it go & just get out of that situation at least.”
Remembering Kashka Otto
Friends, family and the Nanakuli community are all grieving, remembering Otto as a kind hearted, hard worker that touched many lives. His unexpected death is a reminder to us all of just how fragile life really is and that we need to hold on tight to the ones we love.
The other stabbing victim remains in hospital “with significant injuries” as the community comes together to support families of both people hurt in the “horrendous, senseless” attack.
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