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[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Only a few can master the force..."}]

Smile 26 9 10

<title>Daily Smile: Thursday, Sep. 10, 2026</title>

Only a few can master the force...

Daily Smile: Thursday, Sep. 10, 2026

IMG 1445

Rick Hamada

Government & Politics

Columnists

[{"type":"text","text":"There was an early morning phone call which was quite unusual."}]

Both Bernadette and I were in the news and information business but rarely did the phone ring at such an hour.

Berna's sister, Angie, was serving her term as Miss America 2001 and was, literally, traveling the world.

[{"type":"text","text":"It was Angie on the line."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"\"Turn the TV on. We're at war\""}]

She was calling Hawai‘i family and friends from LAX, told us, prayed with us and called others.

[{"type":"text","text":"The images broadcast was startling, even on the brink of surreal."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"The World Trade Center in New York City was in flames enveloped in smoke."}]

Bernadette bolted to our son, Zachary's room, took him from his crib and held him while we watched quietly, sadly as the pictures and the narration told the story of what was believed to be a terrorist attack on our country.

There are times when the conversation about September 11, 2001, among friends or others when the inevitable question is asked, "Where were you on 9/11?"

I was in a high-rise condominium in the developing Kaka‘ako neighborhood with my family.

[{"type":"text","text":"How about you?"}]

Occupational necessity took me to the studios on KHVH Radio where my team and I were on the air for over 30 hours of broadcast. News updates, announcements, authority directives, but primarily the taking of telephone calls from listeners around the state. It was an accurate reflection of the national sentiment ranging from shock to incredulity to grieving to anger and even fear. As the day turned night and night turned into another day, the prominent expressions were, "Are we next?" to "We need to find and bomb those bastards!" with a few things in between.

But the prevailing question filled with so much emotion was, "How could this happen?"

[{"type":"text","text":"This is what we know that happened."}]

The September 11 attacks were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks carried out by the militant group al-Qaeda in the United States on Tuesday, September 11, 2001.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"italic"},{"type":"underline"}],"text":"The Attacks"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"italic"},{"type":"underline"}],"text":"Casualties and Impact"}]

The United States and the entire world changed on that day. The War on Iraq, the global war on terrorism, the authorization of unilateral military action, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, The Patriot Act and so much more changed the tone, tenor, and activities of the federal government and the U.S. military, at home and abroad.

There are debates and discussions, legal actions and court decisions and other contributions to the divisiveness in America today when polar opposites have strident yet non-negotiable positions. There are those who firmly and absolutely believe at 9/11 was an inside job. That our own government orchestrated the entire 9/11 attacks using patsies from the Middle East to conflate fear amongst Americans for their own agenda. Even the release of the 9/11 Commission investigative findings generated more questions than answers further cementing the divide among citizens.

[{"type":"text","text":"Again, that is not for contemplation nor consideration today."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"America was attacked."}]

Thousands of innocents lost their lives leaving behind grieving families whose own lives came to an abrupt and tragic end. The children of victims who lost their loved one, never experiencing them in their lives as they grew into adults.

The hundreds of first responders who lived their oaths to protect lives even if it meant losing their own. And they did.

The thousands who dedicated themselves to the clean-up and restoration of New York City to their own detriment, contracting lifelong debilitating health issues, even leading some to their own deaths.

Finally, my focus on this 25th Anniversary of 9/11 includes the remembrances of those from and connected to Hawai‘i and their respective loved ones who are poised to relive those tragic moments and renew the inevitable grieving connected to such profound loss. As Hawai‘i News Now 

 filled his office on the 103rd floor of the World Trade Center with pictures of his son, Zachary. 

, a manager at the brokerage firm, Cantor Fitzgerald. Collins was married to Leilehua High School graduate, Lissa Collins.

Four floors above them, at the "Windows on the World" restaurant, Punahou alum and rising culinary star, 

 was busy baking her special desserts. She'd always dreamed of working at the acclaimed eatery.

Sitting at a table not far away, 26-year-old 

had a morning meeting at the restaurant. A kukui nut tree grows in her memory at the valedictorian's alma mater, Kaiser high.

 was also at a meeting at the twin towers. The senior vice-president of "Marsh incorporated" had a sister, Charlotte, who used to work at Kuakini Medical Center. She's since moved away.

Also at the World Trade Center, 1979 "Our Redeemer Lutheran" graduate, 

 an executive secretary on the 96th floor of the north tower. She moved from Hawaii to New York soon after graduation.

 was a civilian budget analyst. Laychak's wife, Laurie a graduate of Hawaii Baptist Academy was teaching when a note about the attack was delivered to her classroom.

On United Airlines Flight 53, which plunged into a field in Shanksville, PA, 56-year-old grandmother and antiques dealer, 

[{"type":"text","text":"Peace to all who have suffered such tremendous loss."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"A full generation of Americans and more were not yet born on 9\/11\/2001."}]

We are responsible to educate and inform our children, and they are responsible to educate and inform their children about 9/11. It is the very least we can do because the adage, "If you don't know history, you're doomed to repeat it", certainly applies here.

[{"type":"text","text":"\"Never forget.\""}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"italic"}],"text":" "}]

WTC ruin 9 11

<title>Hamada: Remembering 9/11</title>

It was about a quarter to 3 in the morning in Honolulu when the first plane hit the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. For many of us in the Islands, the first we heard of the attack was a strangely early morning phone call from a loved one who had seen the news. "Turn on the TV. We're at war." ASD columnist Rick Hamada describes getting such a call, then spending 30 hours on the air at KHVH as kama‘āina called in with their fears, tears and rage.

Hamada: Remembering 9/11

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

MĀNOA — During Tuesday afternoon's sweat-soaked practice in the post-

 humidity, there was no denying that morale was low for the University of Hawaii football team, losers of two straight to begin its highly anticipated 2026 campaign. 

"You can tell when we win, there's definitely a cheerful, upbeat feel from our staff to our players. In this case, you're 0-2. The mood is what it is," head coach Timmy Chang said. "We're finding ways to get better right now, and so a lot of the understanding and talk is how do we get better? And those are tough conversations."

Entering the season, the team's high hopes hinged on star quarterback 

, who in 2026 has thrown for just 448 yards, completing his passes at a 52.2% clip (48-for-92). 

On Tuesday, Alejado was sidelined for practice with a heavily taped left calf as backup Bjorn Jurgensen took all the first-team reps, though Chang says it was for precautionary reasons in order to get Alejado additional rest. 

"Tough two games for Micah and just resting the body. He's ready to go Saturday," Chang said. "Bjorn continues to grow. Every rep he can get is just going to really help him and help us."

Contributing to Alejado's struggles in 2026 is an offensive line that appears out of sync. Alejado has already been sacked seven times in the young season and has resorted to scrambling within moments of receiving the snap dozens of times. 

"It's tough," senior center Ethan Spencer said. "It's a really tough time to go 0-2, but I think as a team and especially as a unit, I think we know that we got the guys that we need on this team. I think it's just putting pieces together and really coming together as a whole, especially on the O-line. . ... Making sure everybody can jell together, and making sure that us as the whole line can do what we gotta do to make sure we give our team a better chance."

's unit has kept the Rainbow Warriors in both games, but Stanford and UNLV both pulled away in the fourth quarter. 

"We could do better because if they didn't score 21 points, we would have won," linebacker Jamih Otis said in the team's 

 last Saturday. "I think that's just the way we look at it."

In its first two games, Hawai‘i has not has a single takeaway on defense, something that the unit understands swings momentum heavily in games. 

"The first two games we didn't have any turnovers. Definitely a goal each game is to get a turnover, and we got to practice that during this week and make it be intentional with how we practice and trying to get turnovers," safety Matagi Thompson said. 

Prior to its first bye week of the season, the Rainbow Warriors will take on New Mexico State (1-1) at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. The Aggies, who began their season with a 34-17 loss at Florida State, are coming off a 51-14 rout over Mercyhurst. 

"New Mexico State's a really good team," Chang said. "They're coming off a big win, and they're veterans. They have a lot of experience, and so for us we have to get ready to play four quarters, put together good stretches on all three phases, and find a way to go out there and get a first win. 

"Just execution, really. At the end of the day, it comes down to our three phases: offense, defense, and special teams. Really executing. For us, as an offense, we want to get going faster and more consistently. That's really been a focus for us."

Hawaii football 090926

<title>Hawai‘i looks for first win of 2026 season against New Mexico State</title>

The Rainbow Warriors are 0-2 heading into Saturday's matchup against the Aggies.

Hawai‘i looks for first win of 2026 season against New Mexico State

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

 Public schools, the Kaua’i Community College and government offices on Kaua’i will remain closed through Friday as crews work to restore power and remove debris across the island.

While Gov. Josh Green announced Tuesday that state and county offices, public schools and other government facilities will reopen on O’ahu, Maui and the Big Island on Wednesday, it is not yet clear when those same facilities will be able to safely reopen on Kaua’i, the county most impacted by Hurricane Lowell.

The Kaua’i facilities and services closed for the rest of the week include: 

[{"type":"text","text":"— All county and state offices"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"— All Department of Education schools"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"— All county parks and campgrounds"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"— All state parks and forest reserves"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"— The Wailua Golf Course"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"— All county waste transfer stations"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"— The Kaua’i Bus"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"— All Pacific Missile Range Facility recreational sites"}]

Green’s office announced that state and county officials will continue to assess conditions and the progress of recovery throughout this week and will determine whether facilities on Kaua’i will be allowed to open next week.

The vast majority of Kaua‘i residents remain out of power, however. Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative announced Tuesday afternoon that it was able to restore power to 466 customers on Tuesday, but some 32,000 other customers remain in the dark.

Brad Rockwell, KIUC’s Chief of Operations, announced Tuesday that KIUC will focus on repairing transmission lines for the next two days. 

“If all goes well, we can complete that work and shift to repairing distribution circuits by the end of this week, if not earlier," Rockwell said. 

While transmission and distribution lines sustained the most damage in the storm, KIUC reported that its generators were not greatly damaged.

KIUC will prioritize restoring power to critical infrastructure and high-density population areas for the time being.

In the meantime, Hawaiian Electric announced Tuesday afternoon that about 7,900 O‘ahu customers remain out of power, while crews restored power to about 13,100 customers throughout the day. Most of the remaining customers out of power should have their power restored later tonight.

 More than 50,000 people statewide were without power Tuesday morning after Hurricane Lowell passed by the islands.

On Tuesday morning, the Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative announced that the vast majority of the island — about 33,000 of 36,000 customers — was left without power after the storm “caused significant damage to [KIUC’s] transmission and distribution system.”

KIUC crews are assessing the scope of the damage, but with around 1,500 miles of transmission lines across the island, the process will take time, and will be exacerbated by road closures and storm debris. 

Consequently, Kaua’i customers should prepare to be without power for several days or longer.

“Our first priority is making sure conditions are safe for our crews, emergency responders and the public,” David Bissell, KIUC president and CEO, said in a statement. “We know our members want to know when their power will be restored. Right now, we need to understand the extent of the damage and what repairs are necessary before we can provide reliable restoration estimates.”

KIUC will provide further updates later Tuesday as crews conduct initial damage assessments.

The Kaua’i Emergency Management Agency reported widespread damage islandwide, including road closures on Kūhiō Highway at the Hanalei Bridge, and on the Kaumuali’i Highway both between Kala Road and Akialoa Road, and at Māluhia Road.

As of 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, 301 people were being sheltered at Kaua’i’s five storm refuges. 

Meanwhile, on O’ahu, some 21,000 Hawaiian Electric customers were without power as of 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. According to a HECO announcement, about 14,400 of the impacted customers were on the Leeward side of the island, with about 6,600 outages on the Windward side.

HECO reported also that an outage on Maui that impacted about 2,700 customers has ended, while fewer than 30 customers on Hawai’i Island were without power Tuesday morning.

As on Kaua’i, damage assessments are ongoing and will be impacted by other storm damage. Estimates for when power will be restored cannot be made until initial assessments are complete.

However, only two road closures were reported on O’ahu by Tuesday morning: a portion of Farrington Highway between Princess Kahanu Avenue and Kaukama Road was closed to all traffic, and the Ala Wai Boat Harbor parking lot was closed in all directions.

Both Kaua’i and O’ahu residents are also advised to limit water use for essential purposes only, as both counties’ municipal water pumps are operated under reduced capacity amid the power outages. O’ahu customers without water can call the Honolulu Board of Water Supply at 808-748-5000 for a water delivery, and Kaua’i customers can report water outages at 808-245-5400.

With Lowell now northwest of the state and moving away, the National Weather Service has discontinued its tropical storm and hurricane warnings, although flood watches and high surf warnings remain in effect throughout the state until this evening at least. Residents should remain cautious around flooded roadways, downed power lines and other debris.

Residents throughout the state are urged to document and report any storm damage to their homes and property. Kaua’i residents can do so via the KEMA 

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced Tuesday that the City and County of Honolulu is working with state and county partners to determine what assistance is needed on Kaua’i, including personnel, equipment and other resources.

 Hurricane conditions will continue in Kauai County through the morning, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, "with the highest winds atop mountains and on windward and leeward slopes, causing widespread power outages. If you use a generator, be sure it is placed at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, and garages to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning."

Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Lowell will continue across the state through Wednesday, with a risk of significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauai county and portions of the Big Island.

For O‘ahu: tropical storm conditions are expected for the next few hours, as well as gusts of wind.

Large waves, and dangerous surf and rip currents will continue "during the next day or so along exposed coasts of the Hawaiian Islands."

ASD has received closure notices for Tuesday from Maryknoll School and Chaminade University on Oahu, Bank of Hawai‘i branches in Kaua‘i.

Governor Josh Green announced Monday "that state and county offices, Hawaiʻi State Department of Education public schools, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi campuses of the University of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi State Judiciary facilities on Oʻahu and in Kauaʻi County will be closed Tuesday, September 8, because of the continuing threat and impacts of Hurricane Lowell."

The closures include state offices on Oʻahu and in Kauaʻi County, City and County of Honolulu offices, Kauaʻi County offices, Judiciary facilities on Oʻahu and in Kauaʻi County, as well as public schools and UH campuses on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and Niʻihau.

Essential government services and emergency operations will continue.

“Hurricane Lowell is bringing dangerous conditions, including the threat of destructive winds, flash flooding and damaging surf,” said Governor Green in a statement. “Closing offices and schools will help keep people off the roads, reduce unnecessary travel and allow emergency crews to focus on protecting our communities. Please remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and follow all official emergency instructions.”

 Hurricane conditions are expected in Kaua‘i County beginning this afternoon or evening, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Read this morning's bulletin in full 

 —  "Hurricane conditions are expected in Kaua‘i County beginning this afternoon or evening," said CPHC. "Wind speeds atop and on the windward and leeward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds.  Tropical storm conditions are possible on O‘ahu beginning this afternoon."

 — Six to 10 inches forecasted for Kaua‘i, up to a possible maximum of 16 inches. For Hawai‘i Island, 4 to 8 inches of rain is expected with isolated totals of 12 inches possible. For Oahu and Maui county, 4 to 8 inches of rain is expected with isolated totals of 10 inches possible. "This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kaua‘i county and portions of the Big Island."

 — From 2 for 4 feet for Kauai, with the greatest surge on the southern coasts. 

 — "Several tornadoes are possible near Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau this afternoon through tonight. A few tornadoes are also possible across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands."

 site for additional Hurricane Lowell warnings.

.: Kauai and Ni‘i has remain under a Tropical Storm Watch, and those islands could be seeing tropical storm conditions beginning Monday, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Heavy rains are projected to arrive Sunday afternoon and last into next week for all the Islands, which could produce flash floods and mudslides, "especially on Kauai and portions of the Big Island."

Be careful of surf and rip currents. Lowell's large swells arriving through the next few days are expected to make both surf and rip currents life-threatening across parts of the Islands. "Surf along exposed portions of Kaua‘i County could also produce coastal flooding and inundation of low-lying areas Monday through Monday night."

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"ORIGINAL STORY:"}]

Even though Hurricane Lowell’s forecasted path appears to be pulling westward, residents shouldn’t be complacent, warn state and county officials.

National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist John Bravender said Friday that 

 is continuing westward south of Hawai‘i, and is expected to make its northward turn around late Saturday or early Sunday.

“Any time you see a sharp turn like this in a hurricane track, it’s uncertain as to both where exactly it occurs and when exactly it occurs,” Bravender said. “For us, later is better. Later means it keeps going west and turns north later and tracks north farther west of the state.”

Current preliminary models by the National Weather Service show a trajectory where the eye of the storm passes to the west of Ni‘ihau. However, Bravender said there is still a wide margin for error in predicting the movement of a storm four days out, and that the heart of the storm could move an average of 150 miles off the projected course.

Even if Lowell maintains its predicted path, its winds will still reach Hawai‘i. Bravender said Lowell’s northward movement will expose it to high wind shear, which will reduce the hurricane’s power but also expand its wind field.

Consequently, Gov. Josh Green said Friday that emergency preparations are being made statewide, particularly in Kaua‘i County.  Green said the Agribusiness Development Corporation is monitoring reservoirs on Kaua‘i in anticipation of high winds and rainfall, while the Department of Health will open hurricane refuge centers on Kaua‘i.

Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami said he is in constant communication with the Robinson family — the owners of the island of Ni‘ihau — and added that he has “supreme confidence” that the island’s small population is well-prepared for Lowell.

“Our Ni‘ihauans are extremely resilient,” Kawakami said. “In fact, the Robinson family has come to our assistance more times than they’ve ever asked for help.”

Nonetheless, Green said the state Department of Human Services will keep hotel rooms available on Kaua‘i in case any Ni‘ihau residents need to relocate temporarily.

Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan, Adjutant General of the State of Hawai‘i Department of Defense, said 146 Hawai‘i National Guard personnel are standing by throughout the Islands, with more to come over the weekend. On Kaua‘i, 20 National Guard personnel are there already, with another 16 to come on Saturday, while several high-water vehicles and a potable water trailer have been brought to the island as well.

Green on Thursday signed an emergency proclamation in advance of Lowell authorizing the activation of the National Guard as needed to support disaster relief operations, and streamlines the process to secure and distribute resources among state agencies.

The emergency proclamation extends through Nov. 1, unless Green chooses to terminate it early. Therefore, the proclamation also covers potential impacts from Hurricane Karina, which approaches the state from the northeast, and Hurricane Marie, which is distantly to the east, near Baja California.

Bravender said Karina is expected to steadily weaken over the weekend and likely dissipate after Monday, without substantial impacts to the state beyond high surf on east-facing shores.

Kawakami said surf conditions this weekend are for expert surfers only, as Lowell brings powerful swells to south- and west-facing shores statewide.

Bravender said there is the possibility of intensely heavy rainfall this weekend, but estimates are still uncertain; he gave a ballpark estimate of about four to six inches of rain, with Kaua‘i and the Big Island getting about 10 inches of rain.

Kawakami said the approach of Lowell may bring traumatic memories of 1992’s Hurricane Iniki, the most powerful recorded storm to strike the state. He recommended that anyone feeling anxious to call the Hawai‘i CARES helpline at 988.

Daily Smile: Thursday, Sep. 10, 2026

ASD Staff

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Daily Smile: Thursday, Sep. 10, 2026

Authors

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