This bill would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a new national cemetery in the State of Hawai‘i. It directs the Secretary to follow chapter 24 of title 38 and the National Environmental Policy Act when planning and building the cemetery. The Secretary must give priority to sites that are near population centers, accessible by existing transportation, and that minimize environmental impact. The Secretary must consult the Governor of Hawai‘i, local veterans service organization representatives, and other appropriate entities. The bill requires a report to Congress within one year identifying potential sites and annual progress reports starting two years after enactment until the cemetery is operational. Progress reports must cover site selection, environmental assessment, land acquisition, planning and design, construction documents, contracts, construction completion, and start of operations.
If you are an eligible veteran, spouse, or dependent in Hawai‘i, this bill would require the VA to build a new national cemetery in the State. The bill responds to limited burial space at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, which has been essentially closed to casketed burials since 1991 and is projected to stop accepting cremated remains by 2036. The VA would be asked to choose sites that are closer to population centers and easier to reach, and to consult state officials and veterans groups while reporting progress to Congress.
No publicly available information on funding levels or cost estimates. The bill does not set specific appropriations. The text notes that developing a new national cemetery involves multiple phases and can take more than eight years, but it provides no cost figures.
Supporters say a new national cemetery would maintain equitable access to national cemetery burial benefits for veterans in Hawai‘i. The bill’s findings state that without a new cemetery, veterans who prefer inground burials may have to use cemeteries at least 2,500 miles away, creating financial and logistical burdens. Proponents argue a new site would align with the National Cemetery Administration’s goals to increase access and options for veterans in the Pacific.
No publicly available information on opponents’ views or formal objections.