Ohana spirit rises during annual race

On Sunday, as it has done for decades, the Honolulu Mara-thon and its thousands of runners will take over streets stretching from downtown, through Waikiki, down to Hawaii Kai. And as it has increasingly done over 40 years, the event will provide a substantial boost to Hawaii’s economy and tourism, a particularly impressive feat given its humble origins with just 167 runners.

Even as much remains the same in Hawaii’s premier race event, though, a taint of apprehension exists, still resonating some eight months after the Boston Marathon bombings. But officials here are deftly handling the balance between the celebratory vibe this event deserves and the serious need to enhance security.

For the first time in marathon history, the city will activate its Emergency Operations coordination center to monitor happenings at the race, which starts at 5 a.m. Sunday at Kapiolani Park; this security nerve center will operate from midnight until 6 p.m.

Also bolstering public safety along the race route will be a dozen surveillance cameras, most of them temporary, to be added to 38 existing ones — money well spent to keep a watch for suspicious activity. Volunteers and spectators, too, need to help ensure that things go well by being aware and reporting any suspect packages or behavior.

A beefed-up police presence — visible and undercover — also will be on hand, and that is both deterring and reassuring.

It is a shame, of course, that this level of vigilance is warranted, but we live in ever-risky times. During April’s Boston Marathon, nearly three hours after winners crossed the finish line, two explosions occurred; three spectators were killed and more than 200 injured.

But the indomitable spirit of Bostonians showed the nation the importance of not shutting down, but to pick up and move forward, stronger than ever. In fact, the 2014 Boston Marathon is expected to be one of the biggest in its 100-plus years, with many wanting to make a symbolic point to run the race after what happened. That field has been increased to 36,000, some 9,000 more than this year.

On the far side of the U.S. this Sunday, more than 30,000 racers are expected at Honolulu’s 26.2-mile event, in a heartening show of continued strength and confidence in our race and related activities like the prerace four-day expo.

Thanks to Hawaii’s steady weather, the Hono-lulu Marathon can be neatly positioned at a seasonal lull time just before the winter holidays, injecting reliable business into Hawaii’s visitor industry.

Last year’s event scored a record $132.8 million for Hawaii’s economy, the best since 2007, when the race generated $108.9 million.

This year is expected to do well also, thanks in no small part to participating visitors from Japan — about 13,000 expected — and thousands more from some 45 other countries.

The marathon’s economic impact, certainly, is profound for Hawaii’s businesses big and small, and it’s good to see that support and participation have not waned. Beyond the economic factors, after all, are the benefits of fitness and coming together of community.

Here’s to another safe and successful run.