In this Pearl City Local Issue:

🌤️ Pearl City Weather

🪦 Nonprofit Takes Charge to Revitalize Pearl City's Forgotten Cemetery

🧵 Mono Pop-up

📚 Keiki Storytime

📆 Upcoming Events

Nonprofit Takes Charge to Revitalize Pearl City's Forgotten Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Park in Pearl City is grappling with a range of issues, from sinking graves to vandalism, following years of neglect. The six-acre cemetery, abandoned after its owner's death over a decade ago, has relied on local volunteers to keep it from falling completely into ruin. They’ve been cutting grass, clearing trash, and attempting to restore toppled headstones. Problems such as stolen gravestones, broken crypt doors, and missing urns have plagued the cemetery, along with its use as a homeless encampment.

However, a new law has breathed life into hopes of restoring the site. It now allows the nonprofit Friends of Sunset Memorial Park, led by Pearl City Neighborhood Board chair Larry Veray, to assume partial ownership and initiate repairs. Veray’s group can now install security measures, maintain the grounds, and prevent further damage. This legal status change opens the door for the group to receive grants and donations, like a recent $5,000 contribution from Alexander & Baldwin, aimed at beautifying the park.

Veray envisions ambitious renovations, including installing security cameras, irrigation systems, and even transforming the cemetery into a historical site. Despite the efforts, much work remains. Families like that of Pearl City resident Maureen Andrade, who visits weekly to maintain the graves of her loved ones, continue to grapple with the state of disrepair. Andrade, whose family has four generations buried at Sunset Memorial, expressed deep concern over the shifting graves and deteriorating conditions.

The community’s efforts are ongoing, but without substantial financial backing and more volunteers, fully restoring the cemetery remains a challenge.

Have an event to add? Let us know! [email protected]

Zumba Gold @ Momilani Community Center - 9:30am to 10:30am

Kawaii Mono Pop-up @ Pearlridge Center - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Kawaii Mono offers handmade miniature origami jewelry and craft pieces, perfect as a gift for someone who enjoys the small things in life. Open on the following dates Thursday, October 10 through Sunday, October 13. Located in Mauka, first level fronting Beer Lab Hawaii.

Knockerball Bumpzone @ Pearlridge Center - 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

Wearable bubble balls for kids and adults are back at Pearlridge Center by popular demand. It’s great fun to play and even more hilarious to watch. October, 7 through October, 11 during center hours in Mauka Center Court. As Knockerball Hawaii says, get in the ball, have some laughs, make some memories! Play starts at $8 per person per round

Keiki Storytime @ Pearl City Public Library- 10:30am to 11:00am

Themed stories, songs, rhymes, and so much more! Best suited for ages 2 to 5 year olds

Zumba Gold @ Pearlridge Center - 10:30 am to 11:30 am

Join certified Zumba master Dale Delos Reyes for a free and fun Zumba class for people of all experience levels. Bring your own water, towel, comfortable clothes, light shoes and your best Zumba Gold moves! Every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:05 a.m. Wai Makai, second level fronting Jeans Warehouse.

Molokai Hot Bread Pop-up @ Pearlridge Center - 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Experience the irresistible taste of Molokai’s hot breads, now at their Pearlridge pop-ups! Choose your favorite fillings from strawberry, ube, cinnamon, and more from Thursday, October 10 to Saturday, October 12. 1 pm to 5 pm located in front of Hollister.

Visit a Therapy Dog @ Aiea Public Library - 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

This program is designed to give people a chance to enjoy reading aloud with no pressure and no judgment. However, if you don’t want to read to the dog, you can just visit. The registered therapy dogs of K9 Therapets Hawaii visit every 2nd Thursday of the month!  All the dogs that participate are specially trained and can help kids of all ages practice reading aloud without judgment.  If you want a comfortable setting to practice your reading fluency, reading comprehension, or comfort with canines in general, this is the event for you.

A sign-up sheet for 20 minute sessions with a dog will be available on the meeting room door on the day of the program. Walk-ins welcome as space permits.

Ocean Resin Bowls @ Ben Franklin Crafts - 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Are you ready to learn the trending art of Resin and pouring? Whether you have worked with resin before, or you are a complete beginner you will LOVE working with resin and the beautiful results. Our focus will be on the beauty of the ocean and waves. All supplies are included.

Spooky Stories with Aunty Ipo @ Aiea Public Library - 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Do you love getting shivers down your spine, and the feel of “chicken skin?” Do you believe in the supernatural or is it just fiction and an overactive imagination?  Hawaiian cultural practitioner of lā’au lapa’au (healing with plants) , local author of “Honto 4 Real”, and story teller, Aunty Ipo, will be stopping by the library to kick off spooky season with her hair-raising Honto tales. Take a journey with Aiea Public Library into Hawaii’s supernatural encounters, but be prepared…

In this program, best for ages 8 and up, storyteller, folklorist, and shaman Aunty Ipo will tell tales based on true stories. 

Country Night @ Valor - 8:30pm to 1:00am

Put your cowboy boots on – it’s Country Night! Grab your boots, gather your friends, and get ready to enjoy a night full of live music and great drinks! Every Thursday from 8:30 pm to 1:00 am at Valor. Located in the Wai Makai third level food court.

Upcoming Events

Friday October 11

Bottles4Maui @ Pearlridge Center

Bit of Sugar Pop-up @ Pearlridge Center - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Kassidy’s Kreations Pop-up @ Pearlridge Center - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Blood Bank of Hawaii Blood Drive @ Pearlridge Center - 12:00 am to 6:00 pm

Herbavarium Starter Kit @ Ben Franklin Crafts - 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Coastal Resin Coasters @ Ben Franklin Crafts - 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Zumba Gold Night Class @ Pearlridge Center - 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Anuhea @ Valor - 9:00 pm to 2:00 am

Saturday October 12

Pearlridge Open-Air Farmers’ Market - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Community Yard Sale @ Momilani Community Center - 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Halloween Pots of Fun @ Ben Franklin Crafts - 9:00 pm to 12:00 pm

Rummage & Fresh Food Sale @ Hale Mohalu Senior Apartments - 10 am to 2 pm

Fusion Marketing Health Fair @ Pearlridge Center - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

UV Resin Kits @ Ben Franklin Crafts - 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

J-hope Bead Bracelets @ Aiea Public Library - 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

The Village Market @ Pearlridge Center - 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

High Watah @ Valor - 9:00 pm to 2:00 am

Community Centers

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