HONOLULU (KHON2) — Today, Sept. 13, volunteers and members of the community gathered at Ke’ehi Lagoon Memorial Park in honor of 9/11 first responders.
441 native species were planted for the 441 first responders who lost their lives at Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001.
“To commemorate the 9/11 event, it’s really important to breathe life into Aloha the way our community celebrates this union and Lokahi of harmony and community.” Park Interpretive Programs Specialist Division of State Parks, Kekai Mar, said. “It’s incredible to see the power of numbers and people all throughout the island to come together.”
Pōhinahina, naupaka kahakai, and maʻo hau hele were planted, labeled with the name of a fallen first responder.
“By bringing the community together to honor these fallen victims through native plants, it is a cultural way we can honor those victims who have fallen throughout the nation,” Mar added.
Half the plants are being spread throughout Ke’ehi Lagoon and the other half will be planted at Leahi Diamondhead State Monument next Saturday, Sept. 20.
“I’m out here today to honor those lives who were lost,” Nicholas Casey, a volunteer, said. “It’s hard to digest, ya know? Still, it was so long ago, it’s still hard to think that innocent lives ended.”
Volunteers from the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa, Kapiʻolani Community College, Department of Land and Natural Resources and other community members cleaned the beachfront and the park.
If you are looking to volunteer for upcoming events, please visit the DLNR website.