Mayor's Memorial Day Ceremony

This time-honored ceremony will return to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific on Monday, May 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. More information is coming soon. 

“As we mark this solemn day, remembering those who have served and sacrificed their lives for our freedom, it is incumbent for all Americans to be grateful for the many blessings their selfless sacrifices have bestowed upon our country. History has proven it is not enough to win a war, it is absolute importance of preserving and protecting peace as the cherished objective. We live in a world today where the geopolitical climate has become increasingly tense and uncertain because of the oppressive war Russia initiated against Ukraine, and the unprecedented build-up of China’s military force. We remember on this Memorial Day all those who paid the ultimate price in protecting our country, because we simply must never forget the price of freedom.”

~ Mayor Rick Blangiardi, City and County of Honolulu 

 Now celebrated on the last Monday of May, the first form of Memorial Day in the United States began after the Civil War as a day to honor and remember those who made the final full measure of devotion while serving in the Armed Forces. Following WWII, Pūowaina was designated the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific with the first Memorial Day Ceremony held within the crater in 1949. Since that first humble ceremony, City and County of Honolulu has been honored to work with numerous veteran, community, and educational organizations to help facilitate this time-honored tradition.