9/11 memorials on Oahu honor victims, military members inspired to serve

News admin September 12, 2026 0 Comments

9/11 memorials on Oahu honor victims, military members inspired to serve

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Several events on Oahu marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania and inspired a nation to act against terrorism.

At the Honolulu airport Friday morning, federal and state transportation security officials held a ceremony to remember the lives lost and the lessons learned from that fateful day.

“We have to live as though 9/11 just happened. Pass on to those who come behind us that their duty is of the highest importance, protecting our nation,” said Tim Jackson, federal security officer at the Honolulu airport.

The attacks exposed major vulnerabilities in America’s aviation security, prompting a rapid overhaul and the creation of the Transportation Security Administration.

At least nine people who died in the attacks had Hawaii ties.

Michael Collins, Patricia Colodner, Maile Hale, Heather Ho, Richard Keane and Rich Lee died in the World Trade Center. Georgine Corrigan and Christine Snyder were onboard United flight 93. And David Laychak was working at the Pentagon.

Boots of the fallen displayed on Ford Island

On Ford Island, the annual 9/11 Boot Memorial invites visitors to walk amidst a display of more than 9,000 boots, each representing an active duty servicemember or military working dog who passed away.

The display is inspired by the men and women who answered the call to serve after the September 11th attacks and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“This is our new generation war,” said Theresa Johnson, a military wife who started the 9/11 Boot Memorial in 2012. What started as a way to honor a family friend evolved into an annual safe space for grief and healing for families and military service members who have not had time to process loss.

Organizers call it a “living memorial” because new boots are added each year, requested by loved ones as a way to remember them, whether or not they died in combat. Some died by suicide or during training accidents.

About 100 boots were added this year, including a Navy sailor, Edward Earhart, who had been stationed at Pearl Harbor and just moved to D.C. to work at the Pentagon. He was killed there on 9/11.

“The 9/11 is actually the attack that happened. And this display is our 9/12,” she added. “It’s about their service, and these are the ones that have lost their lives connected to everything that happened on 9/11.”

“This is about honoring who they were and that they served and not about how they died,” Johnson said.

War casualties remembered

New boots mark those who died in the current Iran war, including U.S. Army 1st Lt. Tyler Feehan, who lived in Ewa Beach and was killed during an enemy attack in Jordan, and U.S. Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, who died from his injuries during an Iranian military strike in Saudi Arabia.

“It makes me sad that we’re still in a conflict and we’re still losing lives,” said volunteer Francine Love. “Maybe one year soon we won’t have to come out here to add. We can still have this display but not have to add anymore.”

Koko Head memorial climb

From boots to stairs, military service members and firefighters climbed the Koko Head trail on East Oahu to honor the emergency responders who raced into danger as others ran for their lives. Hundreds never made it home.

“We try to make it as challenging as possible to kind of simulate a portion of what those firefighters went through,” said Staff Sgt. Jose Salcedo, a U.S. Marine Corps firefighter.

“Certain events in life, you’ll never forget where you’re at. I was in 7th grade, reading class, Miss Petrie, and since that day, I mean, obviously I wanna join the military. Been in for 18 years and best decision I ever made,” he said.

It’s a mission shared by many people, 25 years later, and honors the legacy and sacrifices of those who perished so they are not forgotten.