KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — When America recognizes National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29, a group of dedicated veterans will unveil a new Vietnam War Memorial at 11 a.m. at the West Hawaii Veteran Cemetery.

What You Need To Know

  • The new Vietnam War Memorial focuses on 15 West Hawaii service members who were killed in action

  • One of the 15 was Sergeant First Class Rodney Yano, the only Medal of Honor recipient from West Hawaii to have received this honor

  • A former marine in the Vietnam War, cultural practitioner and master mason Billy Fields crafted the memorial from basalt rock

  • The public is invited to the unveiling of the memorial at 11 a.m. on March 29

The public is invited to join representatives of veterans’ organizations, elected officials and community leaders. The ceremony will include the tolling of the bell recognizing West Hawaii’s Vietnam War Killed in Action and their Gold Star families, and will conclude with the dedication and unveiling, according to a news release.

A handful of Vietnam war veterans formed the West Hawaii Vietnam Veterans War Memorial Association in late 2021 with the goal to build a memorial in West Hawaii as a symbol to honor the sacrifice and service of the men and women who lost their lives during one of the most divisive wars in U.S. history, as well as to promote healing and dignity for its survivors.

The memorial focuses on 15 West Hawaii service members who were killed in action, one of whom was Sergeant First Class Rodney Yano, the only Medal of Honor recipient from West Hawaii to have received this honor.

“After many Honor Guard Ceremonies at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery, it seemed like more and more Vietnam veterans were passing away. We always assumed there must be plans to build a Vietnam Veteran War Memorial by the government. We later learned that it would take this dedicated group and the help of the community to make it happen,” said West Hawaii Vietnam Veterans War Memorial Association Chairman and Founder Mel Behasa. “We hope that this memorial will inspire others to continue to build memorials at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery.”

A former marine in the Vietnam War, cultural practitioner and master mason Billy Fields crafted the memorial from basalt rock. A marbled green granite “facial” reminded the veterans of what Vietnam looked like from the air.

In between the dates of conflict, 1959 and 1975, is the Hawaiian phrase, “Kū koa I ka makani mākaha,” “To stand bravely in the fierce winds.”

Future plans include engraving the names, ranks, dates of birth and dates of death and hometowns of the 15 soldiers killed in action.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.