The Casey Project launched in memory of man who took his life

Family wants people to ‘to not be afraid’ to share their stories

WAILUKU — On the day Casey Chargualaf would have turned 31, his suicide already had helped others live.

“His life has touched and has already saved people,” his mother, Evie Chargualaf, said. “I have heard their personal stories.”

She and other family members hope to see that effect continue with the start of The Casey Project, which has the goal of decreasing suicide rates through education, advocacy and support. The project also advocates for improvements in suicide awareness, prevention and response.

“We don’t want the same thing to happen to other people that happened to Casey,” said his father, Frank Chargualaf.

About 50 cars with about 100 people joined a “Cruise for Casey” on his birthday Saturday afternoon, circling his grave at Maui Memorial Park in Wailuku before driving down to Kihei and continuing on to a sign-waving and vigil at Maui Memorial Medical Center.

Casey Chargualaf’s body was found on hospital

grounds Sept. 9, 2019, when he took his life after attempting to be admitted into the hospital three times within 12 hours, according to his family. The 2008 Maui High School graduate was 29. He had suffered from substance dependency along with mental illness, his family said.

Chargualaf was supposed to have graduated from drug rehabilitation the day he died, but his family said he had relapsed the weekend before.

Along with family and friends, community members showed up in support Saturday.

His mother said she talked to some people who hadn’t heard Casey’s story.

She said a cross made by a family member and etched by his father is on the hospital grounds in memory of Casey.

“It’s a hard place to go to because that’s where he took his last breath,” she said. “We didn’t want to make that place scary to us. That’s where God was with him.”

She said talking about what happened has helped her — and others.

“When I talk about it, it helps heal,” she said.

At the funeral, the church was packed with people offering love and support, Evie Chargualaf said.

“We didn’t realize how many people he touched in his life.”

“We had people come out to talk about their experiences,” she said. “That’s what our project wants to do. We want people to not be afraid to talk about it. It shouldn’t be embarrassing or it shouldn’t be you’re ashamed.”

She said she heard some people say that “Casey’s story and the Casey effect saved me because I was feeling suicidal.”

“That’s the kind of stuff we have been getting back,” she said. “It’s a good place where we are. It’s a blessing and he’s teaching us. And through his passing and the circumstances surrounding it, we need to take something that we can fix so other families don’t have to suffer through this.”

Family members are working on fundraising and other details for The Casey Project. People can participate and get information through the Facebook page Casey Chargualaf — We Bless You.

“We’re God-loving and Christian people. We have come to accept the thing that is brought into our journeys,” Evie Chargualaf said. “Nothing happens by chance.”

Even after breaking a rib when she fell as she was leaving work Friday, she was determined to carry on with the event in her son’s memory Saturday.

“We weren’t about to stop this day, and it just proved to be so awesome,” she said. “God really blessed us.”

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The Maui News/MATTHEW THAYER photos Evie Chargualaf (right) gets a hug from niece Shanelle Domingo before the start of Saturday’s memorial ride.

The Maui News/MATTHEW THAYER photo Casey Chargualaf’s family members sit by his grave at Maui Memorial Park in Wailuku as a line of vehicles passes Saturday afternoon. Chargualaf’s friends joined the family in paying tribute on what would have been his 31st birthday with a memorial procession from Kahului to Kihei and then Wailuku. After circling the cemetery, participants drove by Maui Memorial Medical Center, where Chargualaf took his life on the hospital’s grounds on Sept 9, 2019. Mother Evie Chargualaf said Casey, who had issues with substance dependency and mental illness, attempted to admit himself three times that day. “When people need help, they should not be turned away,” Evie Chargualaf said. She said the Chargualaf family plans to launch The Casey Project to advocate for the improvement of suicide awareness, prevention and support. She said Saturday’s turnout warmed her heart. “It’s awesome. Just looking at the cars right now, I didn’t know he knew so many people. I’m just honored, I feel so much love and support from his family and friends and the community. I know he is watching today. I know he is celebrating.”