Work delay leaves columbarium temporarily full
By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
As the World War II generation of veterans ages and dies, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl announced yesterday that it is temporarily out of space in its columbarium.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
Gene Castagnetti, directory of the landmark cemetery in Punchbowl Crater, said the temporary lack of space for cremated remains is the result of a construction delay.
Punchbowl caretaker Donn Castillo secures the cover on a group of niches after a set of ashes was placed inside. Nearby spaces that were recently assigned are the last available niches at the cemetery until a new project is complete.
The cemetery will have no spaces available for cremated remains until mid-June, Castagnetti said.
He invited funeral directors to meet with him and discuss how best to accommodate families in the meantime.
The Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Cemetery Administration allocated $1.5 million for a vault project that would add 4,160 niches for cremated remains, he said. Construction was to begin in September.
However, the selected contractor's bid exceeded the amount the government had estimated, based on similar projects on the Mainland.
Negotiations resumed and a contract was eventually hammered out, Castagnetti said, but the process was delayed.
Another option for families of those who fought in wars is the Hawai'i State Veterans Cemetery in Kane'ohe. Both cemeteries accept the remains of eligible veterans, their spouses and eligible dependents.
