I'm a retired PI. I conducted investigations involving automobile accidents, both the physical and human aspects. One particular case occurred on Mamalahoa Highway on The Big Island of Hawai'i between Kailua-Kona and Waikoloa. A family of four was returning to Kona and was struck head on by a drunk driver. Three in the family and the offending driver expired at the scene. My investigation commenced the morning after the accident.

I remember a particularly heavy pall at the scene. It was almost difficult to breath and my partner and I felt a sadness not usually felt in our many prior scene investigations. We felt as though someone was watching us. We conducted our investigation like in a fog, moving as if we were dragging weights.

We concluded our scene investigation and proceeded to Keauhou Airport for the return flight back to Honolulu, and the further we drove frome the scene, the less sad and apprehensive we felt. It was disturbing to both of us.

The following day, Friday, I returned to Kona to conduct a physical investigation of the vehicles involved which were stored at the Kona PD impound lot. Again I felt the air become heavy as I approached the vehicles. I did my inspection, noting on audio tape my observations and measurements. Video and stills were also taken. The inspection took about four hours and I returned that afternoon to Honolulu. I secured evidence collected and the film, audio tape and video in secured evidence storage at my office and went home for the weekend.

The following Monday, I returned to my office to sort the evidence and transcribe my audio observations for my report. I switched the recorder to play and heard my voice describing my observations in what seemed to be a labored tone. It was not my normal voice. I continued to listen for about two minutes when suddenly I heard a moaning wail, heart wrenching, painful. I physically jumped out of my chair.

The wailing continued for about three minutes and then the tape audio ceased. No sound. There had been at least two hours of my observations on that tape. The only way I can describe the sound is that of chanting the history of a person at a funeral. It sounded Hawaiian, but I could not recognize specific words, and I'm a 4th generation kama'aina in Hawai'i.

I immediately took the recorder and tape to a person in our office who was known to be in touch with things of a spiritual nature, a blood Hawaiian. His response was swift and with great sadness. "Someone is not letting go!" He said a pule (Hawaiian prayer) over the tape and recorder and advised I return to the accident scene withe the tape and say a specific chant for release in that I had been chosen to hear the wailing.

I will do this. At 72, I will have to do this soon.

Sean R.