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Hawai‘i National Cemetery Act

USA119th CongressS-3613| Senate 
| Updated: 1/12/2026
Mazie K. Hirono

Mazie K. Hirono

Democratic Senator

Hawaii

Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Hawai`i National Cemetery Act addresses the critical need for a new national cemetery in Hawai`i, as the existing National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is effectively closed for new casketed burials and will soon cease accepting cremated remains. This situation forces veterans and their families to transport remains thousands of miles for burial, creating significant financial and logistical burdens. The bill highlights that this lack of local national cemetery options contradicts the Department of Veterans Affairs' strategic goals to ensure equitable access to burial benefits and that 95 percent of veterans live within 75 miles of a veterans cemetery. To rectify this, the bill mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a new national cemetery in Hawai`i, adhering to specific site selection criteria. Priority will be given to locations near population centers, accessible by existing transportation, and with minimal environmental impact, following consultation with the Governor of Hawai`i and local veterans service organizations. Furthermore, the Secretary is required to submit a report identifying potential sites within one year and provide annual progress reports to Congress until the new national cemetery becomes fully operational, detailing stages from land acquisition to construction completion.
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Timeline
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jan 12, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Feb 12, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6921
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
  • January 12, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 12, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • February 12, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6921
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 119-6921: Hawai‘i National Cemetery Act

Hawai‘i National Cemetery Act

USA119th CongressS-3613| Senate 
| Updated: 1/12/2026
The Hawai`i National Cemetery Act addresses the critical need for a new national cemetery in Hawai`i, as the existing National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is effectively closed for new casketed burials and will soon cease accepting cremated remains. This situation forces veterans and their families to transport remains thousands of miles for burial, creating significant financial and logistical burdens. The bill highlights that this lack of local national cemetery options contradicts the Department of Veterans Affairs' strategic goals to ensure equitable access to burial benefits and that 95 percent of veterans live within 75 miles of a veterans cemetery. To rectify this, the bill mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a new national cemetery in Hawai`i, adhering to specific site selection criteria. Priority will be given to locations near population centers, accessible by existing transportation, and with minimal environmental impact, following consultation with the Governor of Hawai`i and local veterans service organizations. Furthermore, the Secretary is required to submit a report identifying potential sites within one year and provide annual progress reports to Congress until the new national cemetery becomes fully operational, detailing stages from land acquisition to construction completion.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jan 12, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Feb 12, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6921
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
  • January 12, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 12, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • February 12, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6921
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Mazie K. Hirono

Mazie K. Hirono

Democratic Senator

Hawaii

Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 119-6921: Hawai‘i National Cemetery Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted