The September 11th attack
Patriotism high at beach brunch
By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer
Construction marketer Franck Obayon of Sherman Oaks, Calif., plopped himself in the middle of Kalakaua Avenue at a little cafe table under an umbrella, surveyed the longboard surfers riding waves toward Waikiki Beach, and said he wasn't about to let terrorism fears spoil his day in paradise.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
Obayon was one of hundreds enjoying the city's third Brunch on the Beach, which was turned into a display of patriotism yesterday.
A large crowd sampled cuisine from some of Hawai'i's best chefs yesterday at the third Brunch on the Beach.
Obayon wasn't afraid to fly to Hawai'i last week when two friends suggested a spur-of-the-moment vacation.
"I lived in Israel — this is nothing new for me," said Obayon, who is Jewish. "The terrorists are a bunch of cowards.
"I have something they don't have: I'm a free man, I can go where I want and do what I want. And I am not going to let them take that from me."
It was about that time when the band began playing "The Star-Spangled Banner." And although Obayon is not an American citizen, he stood with the rest of the crowd, placed his hand over his heart, and sang along.
One table away, Fred Garliyo of Wai'anae and his 14-year-old son, Rico, were sporting identical T-shirts they'd just bought from JCPenney at Ala Moana Shopping Center.
"It says, 'No fear,' " Rico said, pointing his thumb at the red, white and blue logo on his chest.
The backs of their shirts bore a list:
African American. Latin American. European American. Native American. Asian American. Jewish American. North American. Proud American. American!
"We were looking for something patriotic," Fred Garliyo said.
"And we chose these," Rico said.
Jessica Lani Rich, news director at radio station KUMU, and her husband, Rick Texier, a teacher, strolled over from their Ala Wai apartment to enjoy the food and music.
"It's nice to see Waikiki turned into a large outdoor cafe," Texier said. "And people sitting and enjoying the scenery. Waikiki really has a lot to offer local people."
Ten massage therapists from the Hyatt Regency's Na Ho'ola Spa spent their free time giving seated massages for $1 per minute, with proceeds going to the World Trade Center victims' fund, said Kalana Kaohi from the hotel.
Down the street, a block of Kalakaua was covered with quilts made from patches of cloth in aloha patterns, each bearing a message for families and friends of the trade center victims.
"We care," said the patch from Brooke Higa, a first-grader at Wailuku Elementary.
"Your loss will never be forgotten," wrote the Pasion family of Mililani.
And then there was Jeremy Chinen's message: "We are totally unstoked by the tragedy," he wrote. "We will unite."
Reach Walter Wright at wwright@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8054.
