Editorial
There's still so much for which to give thanks

Today, as a nation, we pause to reflect on our blessings over the past year. We are grateful for our children, who are our hope and future; for our material blessings that shelter us and enable us to share with others; for our belief system, whether religious or secular, that gives meaning to and centers our lives; and for our country with all of its strengths and weaknesses.

In this post-Sept. 11 world, almost everything we value takes on added meaning — family, friends and sharing.

Although we lost some of our innocence when the violence and hatred that had been so far away flew into the twin towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, we also learned we could grow stronger from this ordeal. And perhaps we learned we needed each other.

Thanksgiving is a good time to pause and remember all the good in this world.

• We are thankful for the bravery of World Trade Center and Pentagon rescuers, those who gave their lives in helping others and those who worked tirelessly searching for victims. And we are thankful for those who have given money and comfort to those left in need because of this tragedy.

And, closer to home, we are thankful for those reaching out to the unemployed, homeless and near-homeless, the hungry and those struggling to cope emotionally. It is a time to recognize we are all 'ohana and we need each other.

• We are thankful for those who give unselfishly throughout the year. Most are unsung heroes, ordinary citizens.

We are thankful for people like Army chaplain Bill Manning, who gave one of his kidneys to his 2-year-old son, Samuel. And the students at Washington Middle School, who raised money to help defray medical expenses for young Maile Ogata, who has a rare genetic defect.

• We are thankful for those who share of their bounty with our schools. For those like First Hawaiian Bank Chairman Walter Dods and his wife, Diane, who gave the University of Hawai'i $1 million for scholarships for public high school graduates. And AOL president Steve Case, who with his family gave $7 million to his alma mater, Punahou.

• We are thankful for all the positive changes in our community. It is easy to see the wrongs, and we need to root them out and fix them. But we also need to stop and celebrate the things, large and small, that are right. For things like the new Hawaiian homestead community at Kalawahine Valley that has brought back a neighborliness of old. Or new UH President Evan Dobelle, but who has brought a needed breath of fresh air and energy — and change — to a stagnant campus. For people like Ray Emory and Lorraine Marks-Haislip, who made it their mission to get headstones at Punchbowl for the 124 unknown remains, identifying them as 124 shipmates from the USS Arizona.

And there are many more. Thanksgiving is a time when we want to help and we do, generously. But this Thanksgiving, resolve to carry out that help throughout the year.

This year, whether we gather with friends or family, in gatherings large or small, we have much to be grateful for despite tragedy and destruction, fear and war.