Starsha Silva's Funeral & Memorial Fund

Now is the time to come to the aid of Starsha Silva and the Hawaiian community

My mother was born and raised in Kaua'i. Like so many of us who grew up in Hawai'i, truly know the sad and heartbreaking truth hiding behind "The Island Getaway." It's not all shaved ice and white sandy beaches. At a young age, my mother was introduced to drugs and other dangerous circles that are still active on Kaua'i. That in itself has led up to today, along with other saddening situations my mother found herself in during her lifetime.

When my mother was young she found out she had heart problems that could end her life. Aortic and pulmonary heart disease plagued her for many years and caused her health to deteriorate. The doctors told her she could live a long life as long as she stayed on track for her heart surgeries every 10 years. These surgery's were vital to keeping my mother alive.

Events leading up to my mother's passing played key roles in her death:

BOP Policy, as well as, the staff who were instated to watch my mother interfered with a Doctor's Order for immediate emergency open heart surgery. Which was constantly pushed aside by the system for 5 years. The doctor was said to have vividly stated that she be sent to a facility that could operate as soon as possible. Though despite the doctor's efforts, their warning was brushed off and my mother was dragged out of the medical wing to be thrown into a head count. Fearing the worst my mother confided in the women she was closest with.

As a last-ditch effort to save her own life, desperate and afraid she was going to die, Starsha wrote the warden seeking a compassionate release per BOP policy, but the warden dismissed it.

Two weeks later tragically, my mother passed in the early morning hours of May 24, 2023, after unwarranted CPR efforts (as she was still breathing) along with her prior open heart surgery, caused her untimely death. The warnings from the Doctor, which had already predicted her death, should have been heeded as essential to her survival.

My family and I were devastated when we heard the news and were in shock after having learned of her demise which could have been avoided if she received proper care.

My mother left behind a family who cherished her.

Mother: Stephenie Taylor

Siblings: Antone Silva, Stephenie Silva

Children: Elijah Silva-Vidinha, Rylee Silva-Vidinha, Mailana Naka'ahiki-Iwai, Laynee Silva-Vidinha

Significant Other: Dennison Vidinha

And so many more family members who loved her.

After a long battle, we finally have my mother home, but so many obstacles still stand in our way of laying her to rest. We want to give my mother the traditional funeral that she deserves. This being the reason behind our GoFundMe.

Thank you for taking the time to read her story.