Dignitaries to Observe Memorial Day at Makawao Cemetery on Maui

Makawao Cemetery. Maui Now file photo.

By Wendy Osher

Governor Neil Abercrombie is among the dignitaries that will be attending the Maui County Veterans Council Memorial Day Observance at the Makawao Veterans Cemetery on Monday, May 26, 2014.

The event begins at 9 a.m., and includes a laying of a wreath and remarks from the governor.

The Governor will then travel to Oʻahu where he will deliver the keynote address at the annual Governor’s Memorial Day Ceremony, scheduled to run from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Hawaiʻi State Veterans Cemetery in Kāneʻohe.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard will also deliver keynote remarks at the Maui event in honor of fallen Pacific American Veterans.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard delivered keynote remarks and presented a wreath at the Roll Call of Honor Memorial Day Ceremony at Punchbowl on Oʻahu on Sunday, May 25. She is among the dignitaries scheduled to attend the Memorial Day event at the Makawao Veteran’s Cemetery on Maui on Monday, May 26, 2014. Courtesy Photo.

More than 2,500 lei created during the County’s Blossoms for the Brave Event will be placed on veterans’ graves at the  Makawao Veterans Cemetery on Memorial Day by Girl Scouts.

The Department of Defense Office of Veterans Services announced a planned improvement project at the Maui Veterans Cemetery in Makawao has been contracted out, with major work scheduled to begin on May 27, the day after Memorial Day.

The project includes the raising, realigning, and cleaning of approximately 1,554 headstones, rehabilitation of 132,000 square-feet of turf, and infrastructure improvements on the northern portion of the cemetery.

During the construction project, officials say affected areas will be cordoned off in several phases, precluding family members and friends from visiting their loved ones until the specific phases of the project are complete.

“During the interim period a Temporary Remembrance Area has been identified where flowers may be placed,” according to a Department of Defense Office of Veterans Services announcement.

According to the announcement, a future project is also being planned to add 10-acres from the adjacent property, increasing the cemetery size to 17-acres.

The schedule and impacts of each phase will be identified on an informational sign posted at the cemetery’s Committal Shelter.