A tight-knit Maui community is mourning the loss of two teenage girls who apparently drowned in a Ha'iku irrigation ditch Sunday.

The teenagers were identified as 14-year-old Cherie Hurd, of Ha'iku, and 13-year-old Lucy Smith, of Wailuku. Both attended King Kekaulike High School in Pukalani, where more than 100 students sought grief counseling yesterday, school officials said.

"It's just a shock," said Gary Smith, Lucy's uncle. "A lot of phone calls are coming in. People are trying to help. Lucy was the perfect 13-year-old girl. It's very difficult."

Many Kekaulike students, including close friends of the victims, learned the two were dead early yesterday at school.

Kekaulike Principal Susan Scofield said teachers read a statement to inform students of the deaths, identifying the girls by name and offering counseling services. More than 25 grief counselors were brought in to help kids.

Some students opted to go home.

"It was hard to witness the shock and the extreme sadness," Scofield said.

Preliminary autopsy results show the girls drowned, but police are still awaiting toxicology and other tests. Police have ruled out foul play.

Family members told police the girls had gone rafting earlier in the day in an area known as "Tubes" in Ha'iku. The families reported the two missing about 9:30 p.m., Maui Police Lt. John Jakubczak said.

Police said a resident discovered the body of one girl about 1:25 p.m. Sunday, east of the intersection of Ha'iku and West Kuiaha roads in Ha'iku. The second girl was found about 5:30 p.m. near the Pico Tract in Ha'iku. Both girls were found in the water.

It is unclear whether the girls were swimming farther upstream.

Residents said the area where the girls were found is not for swimming.

Gary Smith, the family spokesman, said he had no information on what police believe happened to the girls, and police were not releasing information on where and how the two may have gotten into trouble. It has been raining on Maui over the last week, so waters in the ditch could have been higher and faster-moving than normal, residents said.

The girls were found in Lowrie Ditch, which is owned by the East Maui Irrigation System, a subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin. It is one of four ditches in the system, and it moves water from the windward slopes of Haleakala to Upcountry and central Maui for use by residents and farmers, the company said in a statement yesterday.

Also in a statement, company representative Stephen Holaday offered his condolences to the families of the girls. "We were notified ... of the incidents and are fully cooperating with police in their investigation, which is ongoing," he added.

Residents said there are several popular swimming spots owned by East Maui Irrigation. The company requires waivers of those who want to get to the attractions, but Maui County spokeswoman Mahina Martin said there are likely plenty of trespassers.

"The ditches are supposed to be off-limits to people," she said.

Scofield said there will likely be a memorial set up at Kekaulike soon to help students cope with their loss. The school will also continue to offer counseling. Meanwhile, on www.MySpace.com yesterday, friends of the girls shared their grief and their memories.

Cherie Hurd, a cheerleader at Kekaulike, was remembered as a fun-loving, caring person. "I can't believe this happened," wrote one girl, who identified herself as Emmaly.

"I don't want you to be gone. I miss you so much."

Police said the Hurd family has requested privacy. Smith is survived by an older sister and brother, and her parents, Ronald and Renee, according to Gary Smith.

Funeral arrangements for both girls were pending.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.