22 years ago today, all of us on the West Coast woke up to horrific events. It still boggles my mind that I experienced such a historic moment. We all remember where we were, what we felt, how it impacted us. It is important to give ho’ohanohano (pronounced: ho-oh-ha-no-ha-no) or honor to those who lost their lives and to the first responders who were suddenly thrown into a situation that no one would have ever dreamed.

I was living in Portland, Oregon at the time and woke up and turned on the television as I started to get ready for work. I thought I was watching a movie and had to double check that I was indeed watching the news and video footage of a plane slamming into the World Trade Center in New York City. Admittedly, my brain couldn’t quite comprehend what was happening and the consequences of planes purposely hitting buildings. I got dressed and started my walk to work. As I passed a large building downtown and saw the TV in the lobby highlighting the plane hitting the Pentagon, I still didn’t understand what was happening. It wasn’t until I got to work and our CEO (being we were the only two in the office) said to me “We have to account for all our employees…including those that are traveling.” The two of us then started the detective work to account for everyone. 2 hours later, once we had determined everyone in our small company was safe, he sent me home for the rest of the day. And that is when the fear and uncertainty of the day’s events hit me. 

And that was how I felt 3,000 miles away from where this all happened. I can’t even begin to imagine how those that lived it…those working at the World Trade Center that day, the first responders, those on the planes that crashed, the families of the victims….felt at that moment. 

And that is why I give ho’ohanohano to those impacted during 9/11.

How do you give ho’ohanohano today?

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