For 9/11, building lights up as a flag
| • | Ground Zero left mark on helper's life |
| • | Students commemorate tragedy their way |
| • | Sept. 11 anniversary events |
| • | Special report: 9/11... One Year, One Nation |
 |
Share your thoughts as the country observes the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attack |
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
KANE'OHE — The anniversary of 9/11 has inspired a small community of apartment owners to resurrect what they say is the largest American flag in Hawai'i on their 15-story building.
Every night, the exterior of Haiku Hale, along Kahekili Highway in Kane'ohe, is transformed into a 42,000-square-foot flag that is visible from as far away as the Pali and Kamehameha highways and H-3 Freeway.
Three men are responsible: building manager Stan Straughan; apartment owner and building board member Napa, who didn't want to give his full name; and apartment owner Luther Samuel. They used a simple, inexpensive method that has spurred appreciation from around the island.
The three came up with the flag idea right after the terrorist attacks, and the giant Old Glory was displayed until February of this year.
They brought it back for the first anniversary of the attacks.
The first anniversary is significant to Hawaiians, especially for a child, where the family will have a lu'au, Napa said.
"This is similar to our lu'au, in remembrance," he said. "Hopefully it doesn't happen again. It's from the heart for the people of New York."
Samuel, a 30-year veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, said he is proud to have the flag on his building.
But he criticized people who have allowed other flags on display to become tattered and worn out.
The show of patriotism immediately after the attacks turned to disrespect a few months later when people continued to fly flags, which were shredded, from their cars, said Samuel.
"The flag is a sacred emblem and it should be treated with respect."
The flag on the building is made by covering the fluorescent hallway lights with colored cellophane. The process costs about $30, said Straughan. Most of the problems were resolved over the last four years when they decorated the building for Christmas, he said.
Nevertheless, the men had to experiment to get the effect they have today. Napa said he still hasn't figured out how to make the whites whiter, and Straughan said although the flag looks proportionally correct, it isn't.
Still, the results have had strangers and friends calling to thank them for their efforts.
"Even military wives called to say thanks for doing that," Straughan said. "They'd say, 'When I drive by I see that and it encourages me because my husband is overseas.' "
Everyone in the building likes the flag and some said they wished it hadn't been removed.
Haiku Hale is at the corner of Kahuhipa and Kahekili Highway. Because the flag is made of lights, it is visible only at night.
The flag will be in place through September, Straughan said.
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
