TheBuzz
TheBuzz
Hawaii honors
and observesWish as we might to stay cuddled in our cozy family shells, spending all of this Sept. 11 either overindulging in or avoiding media coverage -- it is not an option for most.
Business, just like the show, must go on.
[ WE REMEMBER ]
The travel industry may see a slow day as flights have been canceled, internationally and domestically.
"People are avoiding the day," said Wendy Goodenow, owner and president of HNL Travel Associates. Her office will be open, with staff prepared for the emotion the day will bring.
"We've all talked about wearing red, white and blue," she said, "and I still have my flags up in the window."
Her son Christopher, a recent graduate of Western Washington University, will be at ground zero as part of a photojournalism workshop.
Meanwhile, her own electronic remembrance, "Oceans apart, hearts together," has been added to an online memorial established by American Greetings at www.911MemorialQuilt.com.
Employees at Aloha Airlines will wear a pin bearing an American Flag over the airline's logo. "Aloha Airlines wanted to commemorate the day in some form," said Stu Glauberman, vice president of corporate communications.
The airline also distributed an employee bulletin listing memorial events on Oahu and the neighbor islands, encouraging employees to either participate in or make time for an observance in their own way.
A memo went out to employees of First Hawaiian Bank from Walter Dods, chairman and chief executive officer.
The bank encourages them to observe a moment of silence at 10:06 a.m. "out of courtesy and respect for those who were affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attack," said Brandt Farias, senior vice president and marketing director. Customer service will continue. Those workers will "use their best judgment and observe the moment when appropriate," Farias said.
The staff of about 40 at the Hawaii Government Employees Association Local 152 will honor the statewide moment of silence, said Randy Perreira, deputy executive director.
In addition, he said, "our members who have been active politically will not be campaigning." With memorial services underway the union wants to "observe the solemnity of the day."
Only 10 days remain before the primary election but all six of Linda Lingle's campaign offices are closed. The Republican candidate for governor decided two months ago to pull all print and broadcast advertising for the day, communications director Lenny Klompus said. "It is not a day to be asking for people's vote."
For some companies it is also not a day to be pitching products or services.
"Some advertisers chose not to be on the air," said Mike Kelly, a vice president and general manager of Cox Radio Hawaii. The stations will broadcast from the Honolulu Hale observance, including bell ringing at 10:05 followed by a moment of silence.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com
