Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 19, Number 12, 1 December 2002 — 9-11 Pentagon hero Isaac Hoʻopiʻi has a lot of heart [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

9-11 Pentagon hero Isaac Hoʻopiʻi has a lot of heart

Bv Manu Boyd £ ""W"was just doing my job3" said llsaac Jesse Waipulani -MjJo'opi'i3 the fedaral poliee officer for the Defense Protective Services whose career catapulted to heroism Sept. 11, 2001. Amid fire, panie and chaos, ihe Wai'anae-born Native Hawaiian kept his eool. Ho'opi'i is credited for saving 17 lives that trag ie day, including eight injured Pentagon arnployees he carried to safety. In October, 1 3 months after the 91 1 tragedies, Ho'opi'i was home on O'ahu to receive another of many awards he'd garnered for his braveiy: this one, ihe "Top Cop" award for loeal, state and federal law enforcementofficem. Whileback in Hawai'i, Ho'opi'i visited several schools including his alma mater Wai'anae High as well as ihe Hawaiian f/Iission Academy and Punahou School. "One of ihe most frequently asked questions of me is, 'why did you leave home?' and I

tell ihem that it was basically for eeonomie opportunities. But I have to eome at lease onee a year. I miss my family, the beach, hiking, ihe food and, most of all, the aloha. After graduating from Wai'anae in 1981, Ho'opi'i joined ihe military. But it wasn't until 12 years ago that he visited his brother in Washington, D.C., and decided to stay. "I met my wife, Gigi, pla/ing in a co-ed softball league. When Gigi Ho'opi'i was asked what it was like for a Virginia girl to marry a nati\''e Hawaiian, she saidthat distinction was not made. "I just married a niee guy." Their youngest keiki, Kukana, has a real affinity for things Hawaiian, and is especially fond of 'ōlelo Hawai'i. She enjoys ihe Hawaiian music her dad plays wilh his D.C.-based band, ihe "Aloha Boys" whieh also include marnbers Irv Queja, Ramon Camarillo and Glen Hirabashi. Among many honors bestowed on Ho'opi'i for his heroism was ihe

cariying of ihe 01ympic torch on its way to ihe 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Wilh all ihe fanfare and accolades, Kukana Ho'opi'i had this to say: "You can't be a hero, you're my dad!" Ho'opi'i is reluctant to take any glory for his heroic acts on 9-1 1 . His whole being is committed to helping others. "f/Iy job is to serve and protect." Of ihe many realities in ihe world

today such as terrorism brought to ihe forefront on 9-11 , Ho'opi'i had this to say to ihe 'ōpio (youth) of Hawai'i: "Pray, be aware of ihe people around you, don't be afraid to speak up if you see something out of order. But mostly try to prevent bad situations by understanding and tolerating different eultures, colors, religions," said Ho'opi'i. "And never forget aloha. Live it. Spread it," he concluded. ■

NT"i Hoti /īihon

Photo: Manu Boyd

Isaac Ho'opi'i talks story at Ala Moana Beach Park on a iecent visit home.