Community gathers at Hanapēpē Veterans Cemetery for Kauaʻi’s Annual Veterans Day tribute

Over the years, the Kaua’i Veterans Council has honored veterans of the Korean War, World War II and Vietnam, as well as women who have served in the military, during the annual Veterans Day tribute at Hanapēpē Veterans Cemetery.

This year, the council recognized and honored those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan during the Veterans Day gathering on Tuesday with community members, veterans and local officials, including Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami.

The Waimea High School JROTC Menehune Battalion, led by Army instructor Keith K. Castaneda, was part of the tribute that also honors all the men and women from across the island who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Vietnam veteran Harold Rosa, who served in the Army for five years, said he was there to honor his brother and grandfather.

“I got drafted (in 1968), and then I found out that my brother was already in Vietnam,” Rosa said. “He was shot down and killed. Never made it home. My grandfather is also buried here. He served in the First World War.”

For the tribute, Hanapēpē Veterans Cemetery received more than 100 donated leis. Each was placed on a grave marker with the help of the Girl Scouts of Hawai’i, who hosted a community Ti leaf and lei donation at Kukui Grove in Līhu’e on Monday to prepare for the ceremony.

For the past 40 years, Alaska resident and Vietnam veteran John Chappel has traveled to Kaua’i every other year with his wife to attend the Veterans’ tribute at Hanapēpē Cemetery.

Chappel was drafted into the Marines at 19, while his wife was pregnant. They now stay busy with their 17 grandkids traveling the states.

“It feels good. It’s special. It’s always beautiful, all the flowers are gorgeous,” he said through tears. “It’s wonderful how they appreciate Veterans here on Kaua’i.”

Kaua’i Veterans Museum director and National Guard veteran Bart Thomas thanked all those who donated the leis and attended the ceremony.

He said the veterans museum is currently closed while a mural that “will honor the legacy, valor and sacrifice of all Kauaʻi veterans and really beyond” is under construction.

“We will be having a grand opening on Jan. 9, and we really hope the community can come out and join us,” he said. “Kauaʻi artist Trysen Kaneshige is overseeing the mural’s creative direction and painting and is really creating something special.”

He added: “We celebrate our veterans here every day, and we hope this mural can show them how much they are appreciated today on this Veterans Day and every day.”

Throughout the years, the museum has received donations from community members, organizations and museums. Veterans or residents interested in donating to the Kauaʻi Veterans Museum can click here.