79th Annual Puna District Interfaith Memorial Day Observance – Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
This year we will be celebrating 79 years of the war memorial on the front lawn of the Puna Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. The memorial bears the names of all Puna residents that were killed in action during the different conflicts.
Please join us on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. to honor and remember our loved ones that were killed in action. Family/friends of those listed below are encouraged to attend the service as during the service we call each person’s name. When the names are called a floral bouquet is presented in remembrance of each person. Our guest speaker will be Lieutenant Colonel Tim Alvarado. Joining us will also be the Hawaii County Band who will play a prelude before our program begins. We will also have the Hilo High School JROTC to help us with the flag raising and accepting of floral bouquets. After the observance, light refreshments will be served in the social hall.
World War II (Stanley Cabral, Yuzo Hayshida, John Hernandez, Seiji Higa, Isamu Kanetani, Yutaka Kawamoto, Morio Mizumoto, Frank Mugihira, Shoichi Nakahara, Tadao Nakamura, Mitsuru Ochiai, Eishin Oshiro, Seikichi Oshiro, Kazumi Tsutsui, and Alfred Veriato)
Korean Conflict (David Aspili, Julio Figueroa, Yoshimi Fukumoto, Isaac K. Hale, Koichi Moriwaki, Wilson Park, and Paul K. Ura)
Vietnam Conflict (Moses I Kuahiwinui, Jr., George G Luis, Gilbert Olivar, Hayward K. Peleiholani, and George S. Salema)
Iraq-Afghanistan Conflict (Ray M. Furhmann II and Kirk Takeshi Fuchigami Jr)
Flowers and foliage are being requested to make floral bouquets. If you have anything to share, please drop off flowers or foliage on Friday, May 22, 2026 by 8:00 a.m. If you are able to help make bouquets they will be made at that time as well.
If you are able to help with the set-up, please come by 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Dates to remember for the Interfaith Memorial Day Observance are:
- Friday, May 22, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. – Drop off flowers and foliage. If you are able to help with making bouquets it will start from 8:00 a.m.
- Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. – Set-up tents, PA system, chairs, move floral bouquets
- Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. – Puna District Interfaith Memorial Day Observance
- Saturday, May 23, 2026 when done everyone clean up.
