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9/11 victim’s vision
comes to fruition
The planting of trees at Magic Island
turns her dream into reality
Four years ago, Christine Snyder imagined a greener Magic Island.
The Outdoor Circle arborist had only just started her plan when she was killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Christine Snyder: Her plans for Magic Island go back to 2000
"To finish her dream, in a place like Magic Island -- where so many people go -- I think that's really a testament to what she was all about," said Kimberly Hillebrand, Outdoor Circle project manager.
"I think that Chris was all about community involvement," Hillebrand added. "She really wanted to make a difference in people's lives, in the places where we all go."
About 100 people attended the event, which included the planting of 35 coconut palms, milo, beach heliotrope and monkeypod trees on the makai end of Magic Island.
The ceremony started at 8 a.m., with the planting of a milo tree dedicated to Snyder.
The 32-year-old Kailua resident was aboard United Airlines Flight 93 on Sept. 11, heading back to the islands from a forestry conference in Washington, D.C. The plane was hijacked and later crashed into a Pennsylvania field.
Snyder, once described as a "tiger for trees," started her Magic Island plan in 2000.
That year, she helped plant 50 trees -- including coconut palms and beach heliotrope trees -- on the Koko Head side of Magic Island.
Before she died, Snyder also had been working to plant 70 more trees on the Ewa side. That project was completed in November 2001.
Snyder was one of six people with Hawaii ties who died in the Sept. 11 attacks.
Also with Snyder aboard Flight 93 was Georgine Rose Corrigan, a well-known Honolulu antiques and collectibles dealer.
Snyder's Magic Island plan was possible through a partnership with the city. Under the program, the city paid for the trees and equipment used in the plantings and the Outdoor Circle provided support and labor.