Attendees urged to take shuttle to Punchbowl services
Advertiser Staff
Mayor Mufi Hannemann, U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono, Lt. Gov. James R. Aiona, Jr. and Adm. Timothy Keating, U.S. Pacific Command, will participate in the Mayor's Memorial Day Ceremony on May 26, at the National Cemetery of the Pacific. Hannemann will deliver the keynote address at the ceremony.
Law Enforcement Explorer Major Kenny Kwan, Eagle Scout Bryan Chinaka and Senior Girl Scout Joy Piotroski will assist the dignitaries by placing memorial wreaths at the Cemetery's Dedicatory Stone.
Junior ROTC cadets from Castle, Kaiser and McKinley high schools will post the 50 state flags and the Joint Military Color Guard and the Celtic Pipe & Drums will post the national colors. Numerous veterans' organizations will present wreaths and their colors.
The Hickam Air Force Honor Guard will fire a three-gun rifle volley while the solemn "Taps" is played. The ceremony is highlighted with a 21-gun salute and the Hawaii Air National Guard 199th Squadron's fighter jets flying the "Missing Man" formation.
Tanya Joaquin will serve as master of ceremonies and the Honolulu Boy Choir, TOA and the Royal Hawaiian Band will perform.
The Memorial Day ceremony is presented through the coordination and support of more than 50 government agencies, businesses and nonprofit organizations and individuals. The event is planned and conducted by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Most of the lei adorning the graves at the cemetery are donated by Hawai'i's public school children through the outstanding coordination of the Department of Education.
Round-trip shuttle buses will be available for the ceremony. Parking at the cemetery is very limited and those attending the event are encouraged to use the shuttle.
Buses will operate from the Alapai Express Bus Terminal (at the corner of South King and Alapai streets), from 7 to 8 a.m. Parking will be free at the Fasi Civic Center lot. Destination signs on the buses will read "Special Punchbowl Cemetery." Regular fares of $2/adult and $1/youth (grades 1- 12) will prevail. Monthly adult and youth passes will be accepted, and elderly and disabled passes will be honored.
In addition, four lift-equipped buses will provide special service to the Punchbowl Ceremony, departing from the Alapai Express Lot Monday morning at 7, 7:15, 7:30, 7:45 and 8 a.m.
