(BIVN) – Family members of those laid to rest at Nāʻālehu Cemetery can submit a claim for recovered items ahead of an important filing date next week..
The Nāʻālehu Cemetery was heavily damaged by Hurricane Lala in August. Severe flooding dramatically altered the landscape and many burials were impacted. A multi-agency effort has been underway to recover and protect impacted burials, and restore safe access to the cemetery.
The County of Hawaiʻi is encouraging individuals to participate in a process in order to claim items that were displaced by the storm damage, “such as grave markers, interment vessels, personal effects, and other objects placed atop or within a burial plot.”
The claim process does not apply to human remains, official say. “Separate procedures are being developed to identify displaced remains and return them to family members,” a County news release stated.
The effort is being coordinated under the leadership of the County of Hawaiʻi Civil Defense Agency. The scope of the effort is detailed on a Hawaiʻi County Nāʻālehu Cemetery Recovery webpage.
On Tuesday, the County of hawaiʻi shared a number of updates on public access to the cemetery, upcoming meetings on the recovery effort, and the process for claiming recovered items. From the County:
Process for Claiming Recovered Items
To ensure claims are processed in a timely manner, the department established Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, as an important date for individuals filing a claim. For displaced cemetery items recovered by Nov. 2, the department will consider all claims filed on or before Nov. 2.
If no claims for these items are received by then, the department will consider any claim as it is received. Family members are encouraged to submit a claim prior to Nov. 2 to ensure that all competing claims can be considered and resolved.
If an item cannot be definitively attributed to an individual buried at the cemetery, the department will consider all claims filed up until the date that they are identified and assigned.
To access the claim form, and a full explanation of the claim process, visit (this Hawaiʻi County website) and click on the links under “Claiming Recovered Items.” Both printable and fillable PDF forms are available as well as a document outlining claim procedures.
This claim process does not apply to human remains. Separate procedures are being developed to identify displaced remains and return them to family members.
Cemetery Access
Following restoration of public access on Kaʻalaiki Road, the cemetery is now open daily (7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.) for visitations except for Section A, which sustained the heaviest damage and remains closed with protective barriers in place.
For your own safety, and for the protection of burial sites, please stay on open pathways and do not cross any barriers. Section A burial sites can be safely viewed from areas that are open and designated for public access. When traveling on Kaʻalaiki Road, be aware of the presence of construction equipment and drive with care.
On Sunday, Oct. 25, the County offered guided access to family members of those who were laid to rest in Section A. The visit was organized in a manner to ensure the safety of participants, allow them to reconnect with family burial sites, and view damage to the cemetery with as much privacy as possible. Both mental health and spiritual support services were available for participants.
On Sunday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., County staff and other members of the cemetery recovery team will be at the cemetery to offer support services and provide information on the recovery effort.
Additionally, the County will host another cemetery update meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Nāʻālehu Community Center, located at Nāʻālehu Park. This is a private meeting intended for those with family members buried at the cemetery.
