New memorial at West Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery to honor World War II heroes

A new memorial paying tribute to World War II heroes will be unveiled at West Hawaiʻi Veterans Cemetery in Kailua-Kona.

The West Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery Development and Expansion Association (WHVCDEA) will host the event on Sept. 2, the 79th anniversary of V-J Day, or Victory Over Japan Day, when the formal Instrument of Surrender of Japan to the Allied Powers was signed aboard the U.S.S. Missouri, bringing a close to the Second World War.

Constructed in three panels, the memorial offers a walk-in experience that depicts various aspects of World War II, with a special emphasis on the significant role of Hawaiʻi in the war effort, both in terms of combatants and civilian support.

“This memorial stands as a testament to the bravery and sacrifices of our World War II veterans,” said James Traxler, a retired Army officer and Vice President of WHVCDEA. “It will serve as an educational tool for future generations, ensuring that the contributions of our heroes are never forgotten.”

The back panel provides general information about World War II, including the human costs associated with the war. The right panel is dedicated to the European Theatre, while the left panel focuses on the Pacific Theatre.

Both the left and right panels highlight the significant contributions made by the people of the Territory of Hawai‘i, as well as the service members who trained or were stationed here.

The public is invited to the memorial tribute at the cemetery, located at 72-3245 Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, which starts at 10 a.m. Local dignitaries will be at the event including Mayor Mitch Roth with keynote speaker Lt. Col. Kai Kahele, who is deputy commander of the 201st Air Mobility Operations Squadron, Hawaiʻi Air National Guard at Hickam Air Force Base.

Kahele is a former U.S. Representative for Hawai‘i’s 2nd Congressional District (2020-2022) and a former state senator for the 1st District on Hawai‘i Island (2016-2020).

Following the unveiling of the memorial, wreaths will be laid on the panels. There will also be a reading of the 262 World War II veterans buried at the West Hawaiʻi Veterans Cemetery.

This project was made possible, in part, by the support of The Earl and Doris Bakken Foundation and the Daniel K. Inouye Institute, as well as by the efforts and donations of countless community organizations and individuals.