Maui Veterans Day Remembrance Events

H.P. Baldwin H.S. Army JROTC saluted by Damien Cie (left), UH Maui College. Photo courtesy UHMC.

By Wendy Osher

A remembrance ceremony will be held today on Maui in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.

The ceremony runs from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Veterans Cemetery in Makawao, according to the Maui County Veterans Council.

The observance will be followed by a free veteran’s Picnic for all Active duty, reserves, veterans and families.

Music and food will be provided beginning at 11 a.m. at the at Kalama Park Pavilion behind the baseball field in Kīhei.

A separate veterans event planned on Maui is the 11th Annual Veterans Assembly hosted by St. Anthony in Wailuku.

The event will run from 8:15 to 10 a.m.  on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the campus church center.

The St. Anthony event is put together by the school’s freshmen class, and attendance is open to the public.

Among those scheduled to be in attendance are: Karey Kapoi who will represent US Representative Tulsi Gabbard; Robert and Mary Vickers; Harry Smith; and others, who will be guest speakers.

US Senator Brian Schatz was among those who released a statement thanking veterans for their service to the nation saying:

“America would not be what it is without the bravery of our men and women in uniform, and we owe them our deepest gratitude. We have a responsibility to honor this service with not just our words, but with our deeds as well. We need to remember the sacrifices that our veterans, as well as their families, have made to protect us, and remember that we owe them nothing less than the same commitment they have showed us. Honoring the promises we have made to veterans means making sure they have all the benefits, care, and resources they have earned — and that includes a good job when they come home from duty. On this day and all others, we must never forget their service.”

Rep. Gabbard visited the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center, where she viewed an extensive photography exhibition highlighting the historic significance of Japanese-American veterans who served in World War II. Courtesy photo.

Over the weekend, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard met with veterans on Maui and toured facilities that honor and serve them.

Her visit included a stop at the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center, where she viewed an extensive photography exhibition highlighting the historic significance of Japanese-American veterans who served in World War II. The congresswoman was also briefed on programs offered at the center by members of its board of directors, as well as David Fukuda and Leonard Oka, whose fathers were both Nisei Veterans.

Rep. Gabbard’s visit also included a keynote address for the grand opening celebration of the UH Maui College Veterans Resource Center, which officially opened its doors to serve and support the active and reserve military and veteran population at UHMC.

Her address included discussion about the, “great need for this innovative resource center because it welcomes home returning service members who often feel alone, and who are eager to again be of service to their community in some way.” The Veterans Resource Center is the first facility of its kind within the University of Hawai‘i system.