Hawai‘i National Cemetery Act

Key Points

• Congress is directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to build a new national cemetery in Hawai‘i. The state’s only current national cemetery is almost full and has not allowed traditional casket burials for over 30 years.
• This change helps veterans and their families avoid the high cost of traveling to the mainland for burials. Currently, Hawai‘i veterans who want an in-ground burial in a national cemetery must be buried at least 2,500 miles away, which makes it very difficult for families to visit their loved ones.
• The new cemetery must be located near population centers and be easy for people to reach using existing transportation. The Department of Veterans Affairs will work with the Governor and local veterans groups to pick the best spot while making sure to protect the environment.
• Because building a cemetery is a long process that can take more than eight years, the government is required to start the work immediately. The Department of Veterans Affairs must report back to Congress within one year with a list of potential locations and provide annual updates until the site is open.

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