Hawaii's "Not So Famous" Military Memorials

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

29 May 2006 12:12 PM

On this last Monday of May, we (Americans) celebrate Memorial Day. A day set aside to honor those who have died for this nation while serving in combat. The state of Hawaii plays a unique role in honoring the countless brave men and women who died in the service of our country. It is home to famous war memorials (see my previous articles: Pearl Harbor and the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl) and to some not as well known, yet just as important.

Visitors to the Hawaiian Island of Oahu familiar with the memorials at Pearl Harbor and at Punchbowl may overlook the Korean War and Vietnam Memorials, located on the grounds of Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu. (Iolani Palace is the only Royal Palace in the United States. It was the residence of King David Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani, Hawaii's last monarchs.) The Korean War and Vietnam Memorials honor servicemen from Hawaii who died in the Korean Conflict and the soldiers who perished fighting in the Vietnam War. The Korean War memorial is a serpentine wall nearly 100 feet long and 6 feet high made of polished, black granite capped with lava rocks. The wall is flanked with pedestals, each bearing the engraved names of the 456 Hawaii men who died in the Korean War. The memorial also includes an area for friends, relatives or visitors to place flowers or mementos.

Another smaller, yet touching memorial is located on Oahu's picturesque North Shore. Haleiwa Beach Park is the site of this beautiful war memorial honoring local veterans. A white obelisk stands near the beach in tribute to those from the Waialua-Kahuku area who have died in combat. Carved on each side of the obelisk are the names of the dead heroes of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War "who gave their lives that the rest of the world may live in peace." Keep these war memorials in mind during your next Hawaiian holiday. Perhaps, in between swimming, surfing and snorkeling you will take time to visit them and pay your respects to those who lost their lives in battle.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Libby Pelham (12866) 29 May 2006 04:33 PM

Thanks Michele! Everyone remembers Pearl Harbor (hard to forget - even for those of us that were not alive when it happened), but it is nice to visit the other memorials as well.

Michele Cheplic (37236) 29 May 2006 08:47 PM

Thanks Libby, you are right.