Office of Veterans' Services

The State of Hawai‘i Office of Veterans’ Services (OVS) was formally established on July 1, 1988, by Act 115/88 of the Hawai‘i State Legislature. This marked a pivotal reorganization in how the State served its veteran population, transitioning responsibilities from the Department of Human Services. With the creation of OVS, Veteran Service Counselors were consolidated into the new office, which immediately undertook major initiatives including the planning of the Hawai‘i State Veterans Cemetery (HSVC) to address the impending capacity limits at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). A site in Kāne‘ohe was selected, and by 1989, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) had approved federal matching funds for the cemetery’s phased development.

Rounding out the decade, OVS expanded its physical presence by opening dedicated offices on Neighbor Islands and relocating its headquarters to a more central Honolulu location. The State Legislature also created advisory bodies, including the Advisory Board on Veterans Services and the State Commission on Memorials, to guide veteran representation and memorialization efforts.

The 1990s were characterized by significant growth and development despite economic challenges. The HSVC was dedicated in 1991 and rapidly became a vital burial site, with thousands interred by decade’s end. Neighbor island veterans’ cemeteries in West Hawai‘i, Moloka‘i, Maui, and Lāna‘i were constructed or expanded, supported by substantial federal grants. Legislative and program expansions included assistance for Filipino-American World War II veterans, disabled veterans’ housing grants, and development of new veterans’ centers on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island.

From the early 2000s, OVS continued to strengthen its services, operating from the VA’s E-Wing at Tripler Army Medical Center, fostering closer collaboration with VA healthcare and benefits offices. The HSVC underwent critical infrastructure upgrades, and OVS took on statewide inspection and maintenance of all eight veterans cemeteries. Community outreach broadened, with programs such as Homeless Veterans Stand Downs and benefits briefings for deployed troops.

The 2010s saw OVS continuing to organize commemorations like the Governor’s Veterans Day Ceremony and Memorial Day Ceremony. Community partnerships flourished, including collaborations with the Women’s Correctional Center, Girl Scouts of Hawai‘i, and military units.

Veterans’ cemeteries across the state benefited from extensive federal funding leading to new maintenance facilities, crypts, columbariums, and multi-service veterans’ centers that combined VA outpatient clinics and OVS offices.

Throughout the 2020s, OVS maintained its leadership in honoring veterans, expanding services and fostering partnerships. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, OVS adapted with virtual ceremonies and outreach, including a virtual Veterans Day Concert and hosting the Wall That Heals Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica.

Through persistent commitment to expanding access to benefits, developing veterans’ cemeteries, fostering community partnerships, and enhancing memorial traditions, OVS has ensured that the sacrifices and service of Hawai‘i’s veterans are recognized and respected. As the veteran population continues to change and grow, OVS remains poised to adapt and lead with innovative programs, strengthened collaborations, and a steadfast dedication to those who have served.