In remembrance of September 11, 2001, and in honor of the 441 first responders who lost their lives at Ground Zero, more than 100 volunteers came together at Keʻehi Lagoon Memorial State Park on September 13 to plant 441 native plants.
Students and faculty from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Kapiʻolani Community College joined forces with the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and community partners for the 9/11 Day of Service. The national initiative encourages Americans each September 11 to engage in acts of kindness and service, reflecting the unity that emerged in the aftermath of the tragedy.
“I think 9/11 affected everybody in different ways, and how we deal with that can really affect your well-being,” said Denise Pierson, Kapiʻolani CC civic and community engagement coordinator. “If we can get them to look at it not as a negative thing in their life, but let’s do something positive around that, maybe it’ll change their attitude about it.”
Coming together to do good
Following an opening program in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Hall, participants fanned out across the park to plant pōhinahina, naupaka kahakai and maʻo hau hele (yellow hibiscus)—the state flower—each symbolizing one of the fallen first responders.
“There is no better way to honor the brave first responders who gave their lives saving others than through service,” said UH Mānoa Office of Civic and Community Engagement Program Specialist Liane Akana. “By volunteering, we turn what was once a day of tragedy into a day of coming together to do good.”
Volunteers also cleaned the beachfront, beautified the park, and learned about the cultural and environmental history of Keʻehi Lagoon.
“DLNR’s Division of State Parks is honored to help pay tribute to the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11,” added DLNR Division of State Parks Interpretive Program Specialist Kekai Mar. “By working alongside UH Mānoa, Kapiʻolani CC, our Division of Forestry and Wildlife and dedicated community partners, we’re turning remembrance into action—planting in spaces that inspire reflection, peace and unity.”
A second planting event is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, at Diamond Head State Monument.
