City to mark 25th anniversary on September 11 with Tribute of Light

News Release from Office of the Mayor

HONOLULU – On the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced today that the City and County of Honolulu will once again join communities across the nation in honoring the victims and heroes of that tragic day by illuminating two of Honolulu’s most recognizable landmarks in blue light.

Beginning at sunset on Friday, September 11, 2026, Honolulu Hale and the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena will shine blue as part of the national Tribute of Light, serving as symbols of remembrance, resilience, and hope. The annual observance reflects Honolulu’s commitment to remembering the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the attacks, including nine individuals with ties to Hawaiʻi, while honoring the extraordinary courage of the first responders, military members, and countless others who answered the call in the days and years that followed.

“Twenty-five years later, the memory of September 11 remains etched in our nation’s history,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “It was a day that tested America’s resolve but also revealed the extraordinary courage, compassion, and unity of our people. As Honolulu joins communities across the country in this Tribute of Light, we honor those whose lives were taken, the families who continue to carry that loss, and the first responders and service members whose sacrifices remind us that even in our darkest moments, hope and resilience endure. We will never forget.”

The Tribute of Light will remain illuminated throughout the evening, offering residents and visitors an opportunity to pause, reflect, and remember the lives forever changed by the attacks.

The public is also invited to attend the Mayor’s 25th Anniversary September 11 Remembrance Ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Eternal Flame outside Honolulu Hale. The ceremony will honor those who lost their lives, recognize the heroism of first responders, and reaffirm the values of service, sacrifice, and unity that emerged in the aftermath of September 11.

---30---

SA: Those who were lost on 9/11 | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

ASD: Hamada: Remembering 9/11

SA: Remembering Hawaii’s 9/11 victims | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

SA: ‘We have to remember’: Hawaii reflects on 9/11 at the 25-year mark | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

BIN: Flags to be flown at half-staff in observance of Patriot Day : Big Island Now

SA: Editorial: 9/11 changed U.S., but values endure | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

SA: Editorial cartoon for Friday, September 11, 2026 | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

SA: Column: Remember nation unity after horrific 9/11 attack | Honolulu Star-Advertiser