Honolulu's Mōʻiliʻili Japanese Cemetery became the recent target of desecration, resulting in a swift response from local authorities. Yesterday afternoon, a 54-year-old man was arrested for allegedly defacing a gravestone at this historical resting place for many of Honolulu's Japanese ancestors.
According to a social media post by the Honolulu Police Department, district 7 patrol officers hurried to the scene after a witness report, of possible vandalism shortly after 4 p.m. The officers' investigation led them to detain the suspect on charges of Desecration according to Hawaii Revised Statutes 711-1107.
Authorities have not released details regarding the suspect’s motive or the extent of the damage. As the investigation continues, there have been public statements emphasizing the importance of preserving cemeteries as part of Hawaiʻi’s cultural and historical record.
