KAPAA — Irwin Haraguchi, representing the Hanalei Nihonjin Kai Cemetery, said the blessing for the work restoring the cemetery took place Tuesday, and the work will begin soon.
KAPAA — Irwin Haraguchi, representing the Hanalei Nihonjin Kai Cemetery, said the blessing for the work restoring the cemetery took place Tuesday, and the work will begin soon.
“We should be starting work shortly,” Haraguchi said. “Bring boots. You’re going to need rubber boots to work in that area.”
The cemetery located just off the bridge outside of Hanalei was a casualty of the recent record-breaking rains that created flooding and a large number of landslides. One of those landslides buried the cemetery along with closing the small road off of Kuhio Highway.
Haraguchi was one of three recipients of disaster relief funds presented by the Kauai Buddhist Council Tuesday evening during its meeting at the Kapaa Hongwanji Mission presented by Carol Valentine, chair of the relief committee for the Kauai Buddhist Council.
In addition to the Hanalei Nihonjin Kai cemetery project, the council also presented contributions to the Kauai Independent Food Bank, represented by Kelvin Moniz, the executive director, and Malama Kauai, represented by Megan Pittsley-
Fox.
“This is just a small way to help with people recovering from the effects of the recent record-breaking rainfall,” said Roy Nishida of the council.
The Kauai Buddhist Council is preparing to host its summer o-bon dance circuit, starting on June 8 and 9 at the Kapaa Jodo Mission.
