HONOLULU (KHON2) — In one week, we will honor those in the U.S. Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. The 73rd Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony will be held on Monday at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Pūowaina, Punchbowl.
To honor and say mahalo to veterans for their service, the City will make and gather 38,000 leis for each service member buried at the Punchbowl cemetery and provide an extra 15,000 to those laid to rest at the Hawai‘i State Veterans Cemetery in Kāne‘ohe.
“I think what is important for everyone to understand is Memorial Day stands out because that’s the day we honor all those that did make the ultimate sacrifice and this is their final resting place,” said Gene Maestas, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific Public Affairs Specialist.
The City welcomes the public’s assistance by either donating lei, lei flowers, Anthurium bouquets, or attending a lei-making opportunity.
Lei sewing will be held on Thursday and Friday at the following parks and times:
Thursday: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Kāne‘ohe Community & Senior Center
Friday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ala Pu‘umalu Community Park
Booth District Park
Kalākaua District Park
Makua Aliʻi Senior Center
Friday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
Honolulu Hale
Wahiawā Botanical Garden
Friday: 9 a.m. to noon
Kailua District Park
Kapolei Hale
McCully District Park
Mililani District Park
Waiau District Park
Wailupe Community Park
Waimānalo District Park
Bill Balfour Jr. Waipahu District Park
Friday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kīlauea District Park
“We stand on the shoulders of giants and all the privileges and blessings are because of the sacrifices of those who came before us and this is a small way to remember that and honor their memory,” said Nate Serota, DPR spokesperson.
For more information on the ceremony, visit the Mayor’s Memorial Day website.