Hawai‘i National Cemetery Act

S 3613, the Hawai‘i National Cemetery Act, requires the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a new national cemetery in Hawai‘i. This bill directly affects veterans, spouses, and dependents residing in Hawai‘i who currently face significant barriers to burial in a national cemetery, as the only existing facility will stop accepting cremated remains by 2036 and has been closed to casketed burials since 1991. Key provisions mandate the VA Secretary to select a site near population centers with good transportation access and minimal environmental impact, consult with Hawai‘i’s governor and veterans groups, and submit annual progress reports to Congress until the cemetery opens. The new cemetery aims to provide equitable burial access for Hawai‘i veterans without requiring costly long-distance travel.