Iris Napuanani Rodrigues-Kaikana was remembered yesterday as a spunky, outgoing teen who overcame plenty of obstacles — growing up in a tough neighborhood and going through difficult times at home — and had big plans for the future.

The 18-year-old McKinley High School graduate, family and friends said, was preparing to go to college, and wanted to get a job helping people.

"The hardest part is seeing a beautiful life begin to take shape and then suddenly cut short," Zelda Sproat, Word of Life Christian Center mentor, said during services for Rodrigues-Kaikana yesterday. "I don't know if I'll ever understand why."

More than 350 people packed into a chapel at Borthwick Mortuary in Downtown Honolulu for the services, which included an emotional eulogy by her sisters, and songs and dances from troupes she belonged to.

Burial followed at Hawaiian Memorial Park in Kane'ohe, where carnation lei and pink roses were placed on her casket.

Before the casket was lowered, relatives sent yellow, black, pink and purple balloons into the air, while Rodrigues-Kaikana's father, Steven, opened a basket with colored pigeons inside. He looked skyward as they flew away.

Rodrigues-Kaikana's nude body was found on the morning of Aug. 24 in a pedestrian alleyway adjacent to Kamehameha Homes.

Police have charged Corbit Ahn, 29, with the strangulation murder of Rodrigues-Kaikana. According to police records, the victim was visiting friends the evening of Aug. 23 in an apartment at the public housing project and Ahn was also at the apartment.

The crime shocked the community, and left her family searching for answers on what happened in the hours before Rodrigues-Kaikana died.

At her services yesterday, Pastor Art Sepulveda said the anger and sadness over Rodrigues-Kaikana's death — and of what the world lost when her life was snuffed out — are understandable and expected.

But he urged attendees not to dwell on the bad.

"I'm amazed at this life of Iris," he said. "I can only imagine what her contribution could have been."

During the eulogy, Irene Rodrigues, Rodrigues-Kaikana's older sister, paused several times to compose herself and to wipe tears from her eyes.

"My sister was taken away from me. Why my sister?" she said. "If she was still here, I would tell her how much I love her and thank her for everything she does."

She closed the eulogy with, "I love you, Iris."

Sproat, the Word of Life Christian Center mentor, said Rodrigues-Kaikana grew up in a tough neighborhood and had a difficult family life at times, but was still able to inspire others and plan for the future.

Rodrigues-Kaikana lived much of her life at the Mayor Wright Homes public housing project in Liliha.

Her father raised her and her four siblings as a single parent.

Her mother lost custody of the children in 2005. Court records contain allegations of abuse that Rodrigues-Kaikana and her four siblings suffered at the hands of their mother and stepfather. The mother is banned from having any contact with her five children until 2015. Her husband was banned for life from coming anywhere near the children.

The mother was not allowed to attend the services or burial yesterday because of a temporary restraining order against her.

Sproat said despite the teen's struggles, Rodrigues-Kaikana was always positive.

Most times, she was downright bubbly.

Rodrigues-Kaikana was also responsible for her age, she said, and would often take care of her younger siblings or do chores at home.

AVOIDED TROUBLE

Diamondra Rufus, 20, who became friends with Rodrigues-Kaikana after meeting her at church, said the teen never got into trouble — and tried to steer clear of it.

"She did everything right," she said.

At the services yesterday, on a table next to the casket, sat some of Rodrigues-Kaikana's favorite possessions — a kid's devotional Bible, her high school diploma and pictures from her senior prom. Under the table, there was a basket with her acceptance letter from Honolulu Community College propped up against plush teddy bears.

Rodrigues-Kaikana was to start at HCC this semester.

The program given out for the services yesterday included an excerpt from an essay Rodrigues-Kaikana wrote in high school about her plans for the future.

"I want to live a good, long and happy life," she wrote. "I want to enjoy it one day at a time. Live life to the fullest with no regrets."

Rodrigues-Kaikana is survived by her father, Steven Rodrigues; sisters, Irene, Ira and Ilona; brother, Steven "Ikaika"; grandfather, Antonio "Tony" Rodrigues; grandmother, Alice Kaikana.