Korean War veteran Henry Shimomura (left) salutes fallen comrades during Maui Memorial Day services at Maui Veterans Cemetery in Makawao Monday. Gary Kubota/The Maui News

U.S. veterans who gave their lives in the service of the United States were honored during a Memorial Day tribute Monday at the Maui Veterans Cemetery in Makawao.

More than 500 people, including dignitaries and veterans, gathered for the event, with opening ceremonies including the raising of the U.S. and Hawaii flags and singing of the national and state anthems.

The gathering was sponsored by the Maui County Veterans Council.

Hawaii Air National Guard Maj. Aris Banaag said the day was to recognize the generations of service, sacrifice and commitment that continue to support American freedoms every single day, including worshiping freely and speaking openly.

“These are blessings we enjoy here in the United States of America, and we should never ever take them for granted,” said Banaag, who also serves as Gov. Josh Green’s county liaison for veteran affairs.

“This remembrance lives on through generations. We are teaching the next generation that freedom is never free, that those who sacrifice for this country must never be forgotten.”

Hawaii Air National Guard Maj. Aris Banaag said this day of remembrance is to teach the next generation that freedom is never free. Gary Kubota/The Maui News

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said the memorial gathering was also to recognize generations of local families who answered the call and served during times of war and national need.

“We reflect on the lasting impact of their sacrifice on families, on communities and future generations,” he said. “May we continue to care for one another, support our veterans and share the stories of those who fought.”

The keynote speaker, Vietnam War veteran Cummins Kameeiamoku “Bo” Mahoe III, was drafted into the Vietnam War in 1971 at age 19.

Mahoe served in frontline action in a point squad of men who led the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division into combat. He said 14 men in his infantry company died in combat missions during the year he served with it, including his squad leader Sgt. Gerald J. Dowjotas from Downers Grove, Illinois.

“He was the one who taught me everything,” Mahoe recalled.

Vietnam War veteran Cummins Mahoe III was the keynote speaker at the Maui Memorial Day Tribute. Mahoe was among the 49 national recipients this year to receive a Service Beyond Service award for his volunteer work helping veterans. Gary Kubota/The Maui News

As a civilian, Mahoe has served on various veterans boards and also as a volunteer in a veterans court trying to get veterans back on track, sometimes helping them to find jobs.

This year, he and another Maui resident, Thomas W. Duarte, were presented by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund with an award with 47 others nationally for their “Service Beyond Service.”

For Mahoe, the memorial gathering was meant to remember those who contributed to the freedom of the nation.

One of the Maui veterans of the Korean War, Henry Shimomura, recalled how his veterans club once had more than 40 members.

“There’s only a handful left,” said Shimomura.

Shimomura, once a corporal in the Second Army Division, presented flowers on behalf of Korean War veterans during a wreath-laying ceremony.

The ceremonies also included an Empty Chair Tribute to all those missing in combat, as well as recognizing veterans in Maui County who have died from May 2025 through May 2026.

A Final Salute Floral Tribute was presented to those who participated in various conflicts, including World War I and World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A ceremonial release of doves was held sponsored by the 15th Space Surveillance Squadron and Maui Space Surveillance Complex, followed by the playing of Taps.

The Maui Veterans Cemetery monument to U.S. military personnel missing in action or still listed as prisoners of war is a reminder that there are still many unaccounted for who fought for the United States. Gary Kubota/The Maui News