WASHINGTON — Sen. Mazie K. Hirono and Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda (all D-Hawaii) on Jan. 16 led the introduction of the Hawaii National Cemetery Act, legislation that would require the secretary of veterans affairs (VA) to establish a new national veterans cemetery in Hawaii.
Veterans who qualify for burial and memorial benefits are provided a choice of final resting place, including a gravesite in any VA national cemetery with available space. The burial site for around 53,000 veterans from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, is the only national cemetery in Hawaii.
This cemetery is running out of space as it has been functionally closed for in-ground burials since 1991 and will stop accepting cremated remains by 2036. The legislation will require the VA secretary to initiate the construction of a new national cemetery in Hawaii to supplement the remaining space at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, helping to increase veteran access to burial benefits.
“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,” said Hirono. “With less and less space remaining at the only national cemetery in Hawaii, 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. These veterans bravely served our country and deserve to be buried in a place of recognition of their service and courage.’
“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,” said Case. “Sadly, we have begun to run out of room to bury our nation’s heroes at Hawaii’s national cemetery, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, at Punchbowl. It became essentially closed to casketed burials in 1991 and will stop accepting cremated remains by 2036.
“This is a serious concern for the roughly 115,000 veterans living in Hawaii, some 11% of the state’s population. To maintain equitable access to burial benefits in a national cemetery for veterans residing in Hawaii, where the next closest national cemetery is over 2,500 miles away, our nation must begin the process for a new cemetery. The work should start immediately, as developing a new national cemetery involves many phases, including community consultation, which can take more than eight years to complete.”
“The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific has served as a sacred place of honor for Hawaii’s veterans,” said Tokuda. “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. That’s why I’m proud to join my Hawaii colleagues on this legislation which helps guarantee our veterans and their families have a deeply meaningful choice — one that reflects their service and sacrifice — here at home.”
As part of the National Cemetery Administration’s strategic goals, the secretary of VA seeks to ensure that 95% of veterans live within 75 miles of a national, state, or tribal veterans cemetery. This policy does not account for veterans residing in Hawaii who would prefer to be buried in a national cemetery, as the next closest national cemetery to Hawaii is located over 2,000 miles away in California.
By establishing another national cemetery in Hawaii, the Hawaii National Cemetery Act will help to maintain equitable access to burial benefits for veterans residing in the state.
Source: The Rafu Shimpo