Punchbowl Cemetery

Each Memorial Day, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops of Oahu visit the Punchbowl crater and lay an estimated 38,000 fresh flower lei on the graves. A memorial ceremony, which will include speeches, presentation of wreath, a cannon salute, a U.S. Air Force and Hawaii Air National Guard flyover, playing of taps and performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band starts at 8:30 a.m. 2177 Puowaina Dr., Honolulu, cem.va.gov.

Lantern Float

Each Memorial Day, thousands of paper lanterns float into the bay at Magic Island, carrying with them the remembrances, hopes and dreams of those honoring lost loved ones. The ceremony, hosted by the Shinnyo-en Buddhist order, begins at 6:10 p.m. with a taiko performance, followed by a Hawaiian oli (chant) and hula, music and the lighting by community leaders of the Light of Harmony at 6:30 p.m. Lanterns are distributed on a first come, first serve basis. Free event parking is available at the Hawaii Convention Center from 7 a.m. until midnight; a shuttle will transport people from the Hawaii Convention Center to Ala Moana for free. Magic Island, Honolulu, lanternfloatinghawaii.com.

LINK: 50 Year Anniversary of Vietnam War 

Lanai Annual Memorial Day Cemetery Cleanup   May 29th, 2017 at 8:30 am

Memorial Day Service at Maui Veterans Cemetary   May 29th, 2017 at 8:30 am

50TH STATE FAIR AT ALOHA STADIUM

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Memorial Day Message   

Memorial Day weekend is here!  As we begin this weekend with our plans to enjoy family, friends, the beach, a picnic or BBQ, let's not forget to take a moment to remember all our fighting men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that the rest of us might live free.

Let us remember, more than a million of America’s sons and daughters have died in the wars and conflicts this nation has fought since the first colonial soldiers took up arms to fight for their independence.  Each person who died during those conflicts was a loved one cherished by family and friends.  Each was a loss to their communities and our nation.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Observed on the last Monday of May every year, Memorial Day is our opportunity to honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. 

I believe President Ronald Reagan said it best in a Memorial Day speech on May 25, 1981,

“Today, the United States stands as a beacon of liberty and democratic strength before the community of nations. We are resolved to stand firm against those who would destroy the freedoms we cherish. We are determined to achieve an enduring peace -- a peace with liberty and with honor. This determination, this resolve, is the highest tribute we can pay to the many who have fallen in the service of our Nation.”

God Bless You, God Bless Hawaii, and God Bless America!

Respectfully,

Brett Kulbis

Honolulu County Chairman

Hawaii Republican Party

VIDEO: Memorial Day message from Rep Amua Amata (R-AS)