The Honolulu City Council has authorized a $1 million settlement to resolve a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Iremamber Sykap, a 16-year-old Micronesian boy fatally shot by police in 2021. The case emerged during a period of national scrutiny regarding police use of force while simultaneously exposing deep-seated racial prejudices against Micronesian communities in Hawaii.
Attorney Eric Seitz, representing the Sykap family, revealed that had the case proceeded to trial, they would have sought between $8 million to $10 million in general damages. He emphasized the particularly disturbing nature of the shooting, noting Sykap was struck eight times in the back of the head while unarmed and posing no apparent threat to officers—circumstances Seitz believed would have profoundly disturbed jurors.
The family ultimately accepted a significantly reduced settlement due to what Seitz described as an ‘undercurrent of racism’ surrounding the case. He pointed to disturbing social media commentary containing phrases like ‘dirty Micronesians’ and ‘they got what they deserved,’ indicating concerning racial biases within the community.
Sykap, born in Guam as a U.S. citizen, had family roots in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia. Honolulu Corporation Counsel Dana Viola defended the settlement as reasonable, explaining it prevents officers from testifying in ways that could be used against them in potential future criminal proceedings, given that murder charges have no statute of limitations.
Interim Police Chief Rade Vanic expressed departmental support for the settlement, while Mayor Rick Blangiardi issued a statement affirming support for officers who ‘served this community with professionalism and courage.’ Police initially claimed Sykap was driving a stolen vehicle connected to multiple crimes and had led officers on a chase prior to the shooting.