Dublin Core
Title
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu
Subject
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Description
The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, informally known as the Punchbowl Cemetery, serves as a resting place for veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces and their families. In 1948 Congress approved the funding to create the National Cemetery, and since September 2, 1949, the memorial cite has been dedicated to veterans who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Within the memorial is a plaque dedicated to both Confederate and Union soldiers from the Civil War. There were several Native Hawaiian and Hawaiian-born Americans who participated in both the Confederate and Union armies. The text on the plaque briefly explains the relationship of the Kingdom of Hawaii to the conflict prior to its annexation with America. The plaque dedicates this small memorial to the "Hawaii Sons of the Civil War." This is a small piece of both Union and Confederate history that left its mark on the islands of Hawaii. The plaque reads: He Ho’omana’o No (In Memory of) Dedicated to the brave souls from Hawaii who served in the American Civil War from 1861-1865. Although the Kingdom of Hawaii declared itself neutral in this great conflict, some Hawaii citizens joined the Union and the Confederate forces to fight for a cause they supported and to which they were willing to give their last full measure of devotion." This monument is sponsored by the Hawaii Sons of the Civil War Memorial Committee, the Hawaii Civil War Round Table, O’ahu Cemetery and many individuals. The National Memorial Cemetery lies within an inactive volcano on the island of Oahu, the unique shape of the crater resulting from a volcanic blast 75,000 to 100,000 years ago; thus, the informal name of the cemetery and the volcano. This site has been a resting place even years prior to the creation of the National Memorial Cemetery. In ancient Hawaiian culture the crater was called Puowaina which translates to “Hill of Sacrifice”. It was once used as an ancient burial and sacrificial site. The site now continues to be a resting place for the many soldiers of Hawaiian residents who participated in the United States Armed Forces. The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is a site where visitors can pay their respects and see the resting place of veterans from various battles of the U.S. Many of the soldiers and their family members who have been layed to rest at this memorial site have been previous residents of Hawaii. This site is both a place of historical education and memory.
Creator
The Office of the Quartermaster General, U.S. Army
Source
1. Administration, National Cemetery. “Va.gov: Veterans Affairs.” National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, May 11, 2015. https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/nmcp.asp.
2. Caulfield, Claire, and Jessica Terrell. “The Surprising History of Hawaiians in the Civil War.” Honolulu Civil Beat, June 9, 2020. https://www.civilbeat.org/2020/05/the-surprising-history-of-hawaiians-in-the-civil-war/.
3. “National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (U.S. National Park Service).” National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior. Accessed November 24, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/places/national-memorial-cemetery-of-the-pacific.htm.
2. Caulfield, Claire, and Jessica Terrell. “The Surprising History of Hawaiians in the Civil War.” Honolulu Civil Beat, June 9, 2020. https://www.civilbeat.org/2020/05/the-surprising-history-of-hawaiians-in-the-civil-war/.
3. “National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (U.S. National Park Service).” National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior. Accessed November 24, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/places/national-memorial-cemetery-of-the-pacific.htm.
Publisher
National Cemetery Administration of the United States Department of Veteran Affairs
Date
1949 - Present Day
Contributor
Mireya Blush
Rights
National Cemetery Administration
Relation
Arlington National Cemetery
Format
Memorial, Cemetery
Language
English
Type
Arlington National Cemetery
Identifier
Hist 402A Fall 2021
Coverage
Honolulu, Hawaii