Ed Kawamura Sr. of Veterans Helping Veterans had a bucket of flowers to distribute to other veterans and guests attending the Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery expansion and improvements project last week.
“We started work on the vases under former mayor uncle Tony Kunimura,” Kawamura said. “We’re supposed to turn over the ones that have no flowers so they’re level with the ground and not look like weeds at the graves.”
The flowers were available for anyone wanting to visit the grave of a loved veteran or family member to pay their respects as well as participate in the dedication and blessing of the project.
“I would like to thank every person and organization who had a role in expanding this sacred, hallowed ground where many of our brave who fought for our freedom now rest,” said Mayor Derek Kawakami. “From the bottom of our hearts, I thank the families, past veterans and active service members for your sacrifices and service to our country.”
More than 50 people, including Kaua‘i County councilmembers and Major Gen. Kenneth Hara took time out of their day to attend the blessing and dedication that was officiated by Sean Chun and coordinated by the county’s Department of Parks &Recreation.
According to information from the county, the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration awarded a $5 million grant to the state in September 2020 to fund the expansion project that includes construction of 211 pre-placed crypts, 407 in-ground cremains gravesites, 640 columbarium niches, a memorial wall, roadways, irrigation, landscaping and supporting infrastructure on approximately 2.5 acres.
“The expansion and infrastructure upgrades will provide continued service for more than 4,500 veterans and eligible family members,” Kawakami said in his weekly video update. “This was an incredible effort to honor and serve those who have sacrificed for us all, and we are truly grateful to everyone involved.”
The Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery was originally developed and built in 1948. The expansion and improvements project was completed this month.
The Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery is owned by the state Department of Defense, and maintained by the County of Kaua‘i Department of Parks &Recreation.
The completion of the project was also celebrated by the Kaua‘i Veterans Council, as Commander Mary Kay Hertog, a retired Air Force general, earlier announced that a Memorial Day ceremony will take place on the grounds of the new facility after being shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing construction of the expansion project.
Details of the Memorial Day ceremony and future Veterans Day programming will be forthcoming.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
