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Hawaii News

Events happening this Memorial Day weekend

BRUCE ASATO / 2016

Cub Scout Grant Hubbard of Pack 564, Mililani Mauka, left, and his sister, Anya Hubbard of Girl Scout Troop 333 of Mililani High School, decorated grave markers at Good Turn Day at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl on May 29, 2016. This year’s event will be held Sunday with over 1,000 Boy Scouts placing lei and flags on all the grave sites at Punchbowl.

Here’s a list of events this Memorial Day weekend:

TODAY

>> Girl Scouts Lei of Aloha: In an annual Memorial Day tradition, Girl Scouts and their families will be sewing lei at Windward Mall’s Center Stage today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is encouraged to help sew lei for more than 11,000 interred veterans at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe. Veterans are also invited to come dressed in uniform to share their histories and stories with Girl Scouts, volunteers and mall shoppers.

SUNDAY

>> Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium: In the year marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, a commemoration at Hawaii’s official World War I monument. Ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and features elements from three service branches and the Hawaii National Guard; veterans groups, including a veterans motorcycle ride-in; keiki hula; musical performances; addresses in memory of the nation’s war dead; a rifle volley; bagpipes; and the solemn bugle call taps. Pre-service performance by a quintet from the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, at 9:30 a.m.

>> Boy Scouts: “Good Turn” ceremony begins at 1 p.m. and will be followed by over 1,000 Boy Scouts placing lei and flags on all the grave sites at Punchbowl.

>> Punchbowl Candlelight Ceremony: The ceremony, dedicated to veterans’ family members, begins at 5 p.m. with a musical presentation by the U.S. Marine Forces Pacific Band. Hawaiian Airlines has committed its oldest aircraft to fly over Punchbowl, and the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter will close the program with a search after candles are lit in tribute to those missing in action or enshrined at Punchbowl. Keynote speaker is Rear Adm. Jon C. Kreitz, deputy director for operations, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

MONDAY

>> Punchbowl. The 69th annual Mayor’s Ceremony begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. and features several ceremonial presentations and tributes including speeches, color guard, presentation of wreaths, firearm salute, aircraft flyover, playing of taps, and performances from the Royal Hawaiian Band and Sounds of Aloha Chorus. Parking within Punchbowl will be extremely limited. The public is encouraged to take advantage of TheBus and free parking at the Joint Traffic Management Center on Kealamakai Street, just off of South King Street. TheBus routes will run 7-8 a.m. from the Alapai Station to Punchbowl. Regular fares and TheBus passes will be in effect. Overflow parking is available at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School and Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School. TheHandi-Van reserved rides and licensed/marked taxicabs will be allowed to drive into the cemetery for drop-offs. Reserved seating will be offered to veterans and invited guests. Remaining seats will be offered to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

>> Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Gov. David Ige hosts the annual ceremony in Kaneohe. The theme for this year’s event is “Honoring Our Fallen Warriors and Gold Star Families.” Program begins at 12:45 p.m. with a musical prelude, and Ige will provide the keynote Memorial Day address. Civilians asked to wear aloha attire; military attendees, Class B or equivalent attire. Shuttle service on the grounds available from the National Guard from 11:30 a.m. Visitors requesting to use this service must sign a liability waiver before boarding for transport.

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