KALAHEO — Jordan Tehero was a true Kauai boy with a smile as big as his heart and a love for adventure matched only by the love he had for God.
He was active in his church, King’s Chapel, was a blossoming videographer and served three years in the Army National Reserve.
And he was one of the 11 killed in a June 21 skydiving plane crash on Oahu.
“He was working toward doing videography for skydiving professionally,” said Jordan’s father, Garret, in a Tuesday interview with The Garden Island. “He went on one tandem jump and got hooked. He had a passion for it, just like he had a passion for everything in life.”
One of five kids, four boys and a girl, Tehero has been inspiring his family since he was a toddler and they were living on Maui. The family moved back to Kauai when he was two years old and raised him on the Garden Island.
Colleen Tehero, Jordan’s mother, talks about questions he asked as a child, questions like: how long does it take to go around the moon?
“He asked me one time: how big is a dinosaur egg?,” Colleen said. “I didn’t know, but I would like to know that, too.”
He was family-oriented and loved kids, his parents say, and often took over responsibilities when Garret has been off-island throughout the years. From firing up the grill for dinner to helping with Arise Ministry at King’s Chapel, Jordan was a young man invested in helping others.
Jordan’s curiosity and forward thinking also stood out in the family, his parents said. He was always inspiring new ideas for everyone, even his three older brothers.
“We had Jordan for 23 years and he was a teacher,” Garret said. “He taught me stuff. As parents, we’re supposed to be teaching, but he always was.”
Those teaching moments included reminding his family to use fluoride-free toothpaste and ways to eat healthier or finding ways to ease the work on projects around the house.
“He was an outdoor boy and loved the ocean, bodyboarding and all that,” Garret said. “And he loved family and being an uncle. He loved the lord.”
Jordan was also a musician that could play anything. He was a proficient drummer, but also played ukulele and several other instruments.
“With no lessons, he could pick up anything and play it,” Garret said. “How does all that fit into one person?”
When Jordan discovered skydiving, he developed the same passion for it that he had for everything he did — and he decided he wanted to make it part of his career.
While he was building up enough jumps to be certified, he did videos for companies that garnered is respect, companies like Kona Red. As he built up skydiving experience, he invested in the best gear he could get.
“He was meticulous and safety was first in everything, including skydiving,” Garret said. “All of his gear was the best, top of the line.”
A Gofundme account was created Monday night to help the family with funeral expenses. As of Tuesday evening, donations reached $3,500.
The family hasn’t announced a date for services, but said they’re grateful for the people reaching out in support.
“The love and support right now is overwhelming,” Garret said. “If Jordan only knew.”
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Jessica Else, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0452 or at jelse@thegardenisland.com
