Native Hawaiian cemetery vandalized

Vandals struck in downtown Honolulu at a church cemetery where many Native Hawaiians are buried, reports the Star Advertiser.

More than 20 headstones were knocked off their foundations. It happened at Kawaiahao Church which is described as the first Christian church on Oahu.

“It’s just really sad,” said Dani Tow during a Facebook Live post. Why would somebody come and mess with the dead.”

Family members who have loved ones buried at the cemetery understandably are upset.

“These are my great-great grandparents on my mother’s side of the family. I work right across the street so I can see this headstone from my office building. Its all we have. Its a symbol of our ‘ohana and our history. Its everything to us,” said the family member to KITV.

KHON reports that volunteers are already offering to help repair the damage.

“This should be sacred. Kept safe. But they came over here and destroyed everything. It’s sad. It’s sad,” Napualani Lealai-Matafao said.

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