Starting May 1, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as Honolulu's Punchbowl cemetery, will undergo several renovations.
The cemetery has been closed to in-ground burials since 1991 due to limiting size, according to Gene Maestas, the cemetery's public affairs specialist.
"Virtually, we have run out of space," Maestas said.
He said a new columbarium will add another 3,400 niches for urns. He added that the renovation could give the cemetary enough room for another decade of Hawaiʻi's veteran community.
"We are in the middle of building columbarium 14, which is where the old overlook restrooms used to be located behind the Honolulu Memorial," he said.
The project is expected to be completed by May 17.
Additionally, the road from the entrance gate to the flagpole of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific will be resurfaced.
Both lanes will be open during the day, while work is done at night between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m.
Maestas told HPR the resurfacing along Pūowaina Drive should not impact resident parking or driveways.
The cemetery is also building a new information kiosk and restroom where the old visitor center was located. Maestas estimates those projects will be completed in July.
