Hawaii Launched Cemetery Improvement Project

The state has begun a $2.3 million initiative to restore eight historic cemeteries containing 5,900 internments.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Landscaping

Hawaii Launched Cemetery Improvement Project

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The Hawaii Department of Accounting and General Services has initiated a $2.3 million improvement project to rehabilitate eight state-owned cemeteries. These sites, established in the mid-1800s, have faced years of neglect.

Why it matters

The project addresses long-standing maintenance issues at historic sites across 27 acres. With one quarter of the 5,900 graves marked as unknown, this work aims to preserve the dignity of these final resting places.

The state maintains eight cemeteries across 27 acres of land with 5,900 total internments. About 25% of all graves at these sites are currently marked as unknown.

The players

Hawaii Department of Accounting and General Services

This state agency is responsible for managing public facilities and infrastructure, including the oversight of state-owned cemeteries.

Hawaii State Legislature

The state's legislative body is responsible for passing the budget and authorizing the $2.3 million funding for cemetery improvements.

The details

Workers successfully completed the first phase at the Waiʻanae Japanese Cemetery, which included removing five tons of trash and installing 2,000 feet of new fencing. This initial renovation effort cost $200,000 and follows a comprehensive survey of cemetery boundaries conducted by the Department of Accounting and General Services.

The eight state-owned cemeteries were originally established in the mid-1800s.
The Hawaii State Legislature allocated the $2.3 million budget for maintenance in 2025.
The state Department of Accounting and General Services surveyed all cemetery boundaries in spring 2026.
Improvements at the Waiʻanae Japanese Cemetery were completed in September 2026.

Culture Shift

This project reflects a broader move toward government-funded historic preservation and the maintenance of aging public cultural assets. It signals a departure from years of institutional neglect by prioritizing the restoration of mid-19th-century burial grounds.

Residents and families of those interred may see improved access to these historical sites following years of neglect. The upcoming work at the Hanapēpē Filipino Cemetery will continue these infrastructure improvements across the state.

The takeaway

This state-led initiative highlights the importance of maintaining historical sites that have been overlooked for decades. Improving these grounds ensures that the memory of those interned, including those whose identities are currently unknown, is treated with proper respect.