Memorial Day Ceremonies

Sunday, May 26

8:00 a.m. Punchbowl Cemetery-  Honolulu Shinto Renmei Tribute sponsored by 4 Shinto Buddhist shrines.  Participants will pay tribute to American veterans as well as call for peace and reconciliation among the nations of the world.

10:00 a.m. Punchbowl Cemetery-  Roll Call of Honor in Remembrance ceremony conducted by the Pacific American Foundation to recognize the dedicated service, sacrifice, and special contributions made by Pacific Island veterans.

10:00 a.m. Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium-  25th annual Memorial Day Observance

12:00 p.m. Punchbowl Cemetery-  Boy Scouts will place a lei and flag at each of the 34,000 graves

1:00 p.m.  Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery-  Girl Scouts will place a lei and flag at each of the 6,000 graves

4 p.m.- Makawao Veterans Cemetery- Girl Scouts will place a lei and flag at each  grave

5:30 p.m. Punchbowl Cemetery-  Vietnam Veterans Candlelight ceremony sponsored by VFW 10583 and the American-Vietnamese Coalition.

Monday, May 27

8:30 a.m. Punchbowl Cemetery-  Mayor’s Memorial Day ceremony

8:30 a.m. East Hawaii Veteran’s Cemetery-  Memorial Day ceremony

10:00 a.m. Kauai Veteran’s Cemetery Hanapepe-  Memorial Day ceremony

11:00 a.m. West Hawaii Veteran’s Cemetery-  Memorial Day ceremony

1:00 p.m. Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery-  Governor’s Memorial Day ceremony “Veterans, May We Never Forget”

3:00 p.m. Kilauea Military Camp-  Memorial Day ceremony “Remembering All Who Served”

6:00 p.m. Magic Island-  15th annual Lantern Floating Hawaii

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Memorial Day Reflection

One of the most moving stories told to me by my father William Kai Chong Akina took place at the start of the United States' entry into World War II.  On December 7, 1941, my dad, a Hawaiian-Chinese teenager, was at our family home in Aiea overlooking Pearl Harbor.  Stunned at the sound of approaching aircraft, he climbed onto the top of the roof and witnessed the Japanese bombing of American ships. So moved with patriotism and a desire to defend his nation, my dad quit attending Farrington High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps.  For more than three decades he served our nation in what became the US Air Force.  When stationed in San Diego as a young airman, my dad bought an Army war bond from a Hawaiian-Chinese girl, Marian Lupenui, who was working at a factory riveting planes for the military.  They fell in love and got married and raised me and my siblings on military bases in Germany, across the mainland USA and in Hawaii.  While he never fulfilled his dream of going to college, my dad completed his high school certificate and put his children through college education and beyond. That's one reason every year I volunteer as a professor to teach my college course on military bases to young G.I.'s working to earn their degrees.  It's just a small way I can pay back my dad and the men and women who defend our great nation.

William Keli'i Akina, Ph.D.

President/CEO

Grassroot Institute of Hawai'i

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Statement from Hawaii GOP Chair David Chang

On behalf of the Hawaii Republican Party, we honor the brave and selfless men and women who have  made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. 

As a combat veteran and member of the Hawaii National Guard, I am humbled and grateful for the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform. Let us always remember to stand strong with those in service and with the families of the fallen.

Please take a moment today and everyday to remember the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and their families who have fought and sacrificed to make America the land of the free and home of the brave. 

Have a blessed Memorial Day!

Mahalo,

David S. Chang

Chairman, Hawaii Republican Party

P.S. I was moved by this amazing video honoring my brothers and sisters in arms who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Click here to watch.

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FLAGS TO FLY AT HALF-STAFF UNTIL NOON ON MEMORIAL DAY

Governor to Deliver Keynote at Annual Ceremony in Kaneohe

News Release from Office of the Governor May 24, 2013

HONOLULU – In observance of Memorial Day, Gov. Neil Abercrombie has ordered that national and state flags be flown at half-staff at state offices and agencies as well as the Hawaii National Guard from sunrise to noon on Monday, May 27, 2013.

President Barack Obama today issued a proclamation declaring Memorial Day, May 27, 2013, “as a day of prayer for permanent peace” and requested that the governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the appropriate officials of all units of government, direct that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff until noon, and for the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.

The President also designated the hour beginning in each locality at 11 a.m. as a time to unite in prayer, and further asked all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3 p.m. local time.

Gov. Abercrombie will deliver the keynote address at the annual Governor’s Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe.

Link to the Presidential Proclamation here.

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