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Second Big Island Resident Identified as Victim in Maine Jet Crash
Shelby Kuyawa and Nick Mastracusa, both formerly of Four Seasons Hualālai and Kūki'o, were among the six killed in the private jet accident.
Jan. 29, 2026 at 6:31pm
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A second person with ties to the Big Island of Hawaii has been identified as one of the six victims in the January 25 private jet crash in Bangor, Maine. Shelby Kuyawa, a 34-year-old sommelier, and Nick Mastracusa, a 43-year-old chef, were both employees of the luxury travel company Beyond and had previously worked at high-end resorts on the Big Island. The private jet, owned by a Houston law firm, crashed shortly after takeoff during a winter storm, killing all six people on board.
Why it matters
The crash has devastated the close-knit hospitality community on the Big Island, where Kuyawa and Mastracusa were well-known and respected professionals. Their deaths highlight the risks associated with private air travel, especially in inclement weather, and raise questions about the safety protocols of the luxury travel industry.
The details
Kuyawa and Mastracusa were both recruited to work for Beyond, a newly launched luxury travel company, late last year. Kuyawa was a level-three sommelier, while Mastracusa served as the company's chef and executive vice president of hospitality. Prior to Beyond, they had both worked at the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai and the exclusive Kūki'o Golf and Beach Club on the Big Island.
- The private jet crashed on January 25, 2026, shortly after takeoff from Bangor International Airport in Maine.
- Kuyawa and Mastracusa were both recruited to work for Beyond in late 2025.
The players
Shelby Kuyawa
A 34-year-old sommelier who previously worked at luxury resorts on the Big Island, including the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai and Kūki'o Golf and Beach Club.
Nick Mastracusa
A 43-year-old chef who previously worked as an executive chef at the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai and Kūki'o Golf and Beach Club on the Big Island.
Beyond
A newly launched luxury travel company that offered high-end resort stays and culinary experiences for wealthy clients.
Arnold & Itkin
A Houston-based law firm that owned the private jet that crashed in Maine.
Tara and Kurt Arnold
The owners of Beyond, who were also killed in the crash.
What’s next
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash, which remains under investigation.
The takeaway
The tragic deaths of Shelby Kuyawa and Nick Mastracusa, two respected hospitality professionals with deep ties to the Big Island, have shaken the local community and raised broader concerns about the safety of private air travel, especially in inclement weather conditions.
