Purple Heart City signs have now been installed outside Honolulu Hale.
HONOLULU – During a special ceremony held on the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds on Friday, Mayor Rick Blangiardi unveiled new signs honoring Purple Heart medal recipients, installed at eight locations around the island of Oʻahu, including Honolulu Hale, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, the Arizona Memorial, and in the vicinity of several military installations or facilities that provide services to veterans.
“The men and women who have earned Purple Heart medals deserve our absolute highest praise and eternal gratitude. They put their bodies and their lives on the line to defend this country, to uphold freedom, and to protect all of us, and that should never be forgotten,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “We are so proud to be able to take this opportunity to install these beautiful signs, which are a meaningful reflection of the City and County of Honolulu’s unwavering resolve to eternally honor the brave men and women who are true heroes.”
In 2024, Mayor Blangiardi signed Bill 7 into law, designating Honolulu as a “Purple Heart City.” The bill was introduced by Councilmember Augie Tulba and the Honolulu City Council unanimously approved it. The Purple Heart, originally called the “Badge of Military Merit,” was created by General George Washington in 1782 and is the oldest military decoration still in use. The new signs are being installed by the City’s Department of Facility Maintenance.
“This is more than just a sign – it stands as a profound symbol of our aloha and commitment to honor those who were injured in the line of duty while serving our country,” said Councilmember Augie Tulba. “I deeply appreciate the partnership and tireless advocacy of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Rainbow Chapter #483, whose members are not only veterans but also our neighbors, friends, and family. By placing these signs throughout our community, we take a meaningful, visible step to recognize the sacrifices of those who have served in the military, reminding every resident and visitor of the courage and dedication that define the champions who have protected our nation.”
Friday’s ceremony also commemorated National Purple Heart Day, which is held annually on August 7th to remember military members wounded or killed in action. The event – held just outside of Honolulu Hale – featured Capt. Samuel White, Commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard Base Honor Guard, and several other military dignitaries.
Courtesy: Council Support Services, Honolulu City Council
“These wonderful new signs and today’s moving ceremony send a powerful and resounding message to our military community that they are truly recognized for their sacrifices and that they are deeply appreciated here in the City and County of Honolulu,” said retired U.S. Army Col. Ed Cruickshank. “We are enormously grateful to Mayor Rick Blangiardi, his administration, Councilmember Augie Tulba, and to the entire Honolulu City Council for their leadership and their commitment to honor the legacy of our inspirational Purple Heart recipients and their families.”
The full list of sign locations is as follows:
- Arizona Memorial
- Daniel K. Inouye Honolulu International Airport
- Fort Shafter (H-201 westbound offramp)
- Honolulu Hale
- Kāneʻohe Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi (entrance to base on H-3)
- Kapolei Hale
- Pūowaina/National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl
- Tripler Army Medical Center (H-201 eastbound offramp)
Plans are in the works to install additional signs in prominent locations across the island over time.
