Hawaiʻi lawmakers in Washington propose measure to establish new national veterans cemetery in islands

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, all Hawaiʻi Democrats, introduced the Hawaiʻi National Cemetery Act that would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a new national veterans cemetery in the islands.

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific on Oʻahu — the burial site for about 53,000 veterans from World War I, World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War — is the only national cemetery in Hawaiʻi.

The facility is running out of space, functionally closed for in-ground burials since 1991. It is expected to stop accepting cremated remains by 2036.

The proposed legislation would require the Veterans Affairs secretary to initiate construction of a new national cemetery in the islands to supplement the remaining space at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Hirono said the measure is necessary to ensure veterans have a local option for their final resting place.

“Those who have served our country, many of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their life to defend our nation, deserve to have the option to be buried in a national cemetery in their home state,” Hirono said in a release about the proposed measure. “With less and less space remaining at the only national cemetery in Hawaiʻi, I am proud to introduce this legislation to establish another national cemetery that will serve as a fitting final resting site for veterans in our state.”

Case noted the significant time required to develop a new facility.

“Veterans who qualify for burial benefits should continue to have full choice in their final resting place, including burial in a national cemetery close to their homes and families,” Case said in the release. “Sadly, we have begun to run out of room to bury our nation’s heroes at Hawaii’s national cemetery.”

He added that this is a serious concern for the roughly 115,000 veterans living in Hawai‘i, some 11% of the state’s population.

Tokuda emphasized the need to maintain dignity for veterans as the one existing veterans cemetery in the state nears capacity.

“National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific has served as a sacred place of honor for Hawaiʻi’s veterans,” said Tokuda in the release. “But with the site nearing capacity, we must plan for a new resting place that continues to honor our veterans with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

National Cemetery Administration maintains a strategic goal to ensure 95% of veterans live within 75 miles of a national, state or tribal veterans cemetery.

Policy does not account for veterans residing in Hawaiʻi who want a national cemetery burial. The next closest location is more than 2,000 miles away in California.