There are moments in time when you remember exactly where you were when you heard major breaking news. I was working in Philadelphia when the Boston Marathon bombs went off, and had a flash back to the terrorist attacks of
There are moments in time when you remember exactly where you were when you heard major breaking news.
I was working in Philadelphia when the Boston Marathon bombs went off, and had a flash back to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. I immediately thought of the family and friends that are marathoners and have run the Boston Marathon. Thankfully, all were safe, either skipping this year, or had crossed the finish line earlier.
My next thought was to Angela Vento, now general manager of the Sheraton Boston Hotel, former general manager of the Sheraton Kauai Hotel.
I sent Angela an email note letting her know that I was thinking of her, and that I was sure she would be a beacon of light in the midst of the chaos. To my amazement, Angela actually took the time to respond and sent back a response saying her experience with disasters on Kaua‘i had prepped her for this and thanked us for our concern.
I was so proud when I saw Noah Hamilton (brother to Bethany Hamilton) announcing the Friends of Bethany Hamilton was raising money for victims of the Boston Bombing, especially focused on the amputees.
Mike Coots, an amputee from Kaua‘i went to Boston with Bethany’s Dad, Tom Hamilton to offer their support, share their concern and aloha for those stricken.
The Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau gave a donation toward the trip and Kaua‘i Made partners stepped up and donated some products to share with the victim’s families. The Friends of Bethany Hamilton designed a shirt “Hope for Boston” which is available at: http://teespring.com/HopeForBoston and those interested can still provide a donation to: http://www.friendsofbethany.com/
I have heard it said from many people who have worked on Kaua‘i, but had to move on to other locations, that there is no place like Kaua‘i. I have to say I agree, and was so very proud of Bethany Hamilton, Tom Hamilton and Mike Coots for their outreach to Boston and spreading their mana‘o and aloha to the victims.
This will be one of those moments in time where I will have a wonderful memory of where I was when I heard of the Kaua‘i Aloha being spread to Boston. Imua!
• Sue Kanoho is executive director for Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau
