Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 5, 1 Mei 1987 — Cemetary Project Display May 22-25 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Cemetary Project Display May 22-25

"Every Tombstone Has A Tale To Tell," is a four-day exhibit of approximately 100 photographs of tombstones and cemetaries scheduled for display May 22-25 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Ala Moana Shopping Center in conjunction with Memorial Day whieh this year is being observed by the state on Friday, May 22. The exhibit will have photographs of various sizes with accompanying captions. It will take a fascinating look at various ethnic memorial traditions in the Hawaiian islands such as Chinese "Ching Ming," Japanese "O Bon," and Hawaiian "Decoration Day." The exhibit will also focus on cemetary sites as important historical and genealogical resources that should be appreciated more by the community. Additionally, part of the exhibit will focus on "ancient" Hawaiian burial traditions. The beauty and variety of tombstone designs and graveyard architecture will also be highlighted. A copy of the 1986 "Tombstone Inscription Directory" will be available at the exhibit for people interested in finding burial places of family ancestors. The exhibit is being presented by The Cemetary Research Project under Director Nanette Napoleon Pumell. The Project is sponsored by the Hawaiian Historical Society with funding by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaii Allied Memonal Council, State Historic Preservation Office and the Committee for the Preservation of Hawaiian Language, Culture and the Arts. Purposes of The Cemetary Research Project are to: • Identify and document old abandoned cemetaries and tombstones found on the island of Oahu.

• Produce a comprehensive written record of tombstone inscriptions that ean be used as a genealogical and historic reference. • Increase public awareness of cemetary sites as important cultural and historical resources. Pumell, who has spent the better part of two years on her research, noted that "through continued eommunity interest and funding, our cemetaries ean beeome a source of pride and a legacy for future generations."

Nanette Napoleon Pumell, director of The Cemetary Research Project, has recorded nearly 9,000 tombstone inscriptions at 46 previous!y undocumented Oahu cemetaries.