Cemeteries in Hanapepe (Unincorporated area)

Hanapēpē, located on the southern coast of the island of Kauaʻi, developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a plantation town supporting the region’s booming sugar industry.

The name "Hanapēpē" means "crushed bay" in Hawaiian, likely referring to a landslide or natural event in ancient times. After Western contact, the area saw an influx of immigrant laborers from China, Japan, Korea, Portugal, and the Philippines, who settled in Hanapēpē after completing plantation contracts. The town grew into a vibrant multiethnic community with churches, shops, and schools representing its diverse population. Protestant and Buddhist institutions played key roles in early religious and civic life. Hanapēpē was the site of the 1924 Hanapēpē Massacre, a tragic labor conflict between striking Filipino workers and law enforcement. Today, the town is known for its historic charm and artistic community.

Cemeteries such as Hanapēpē Veterans Cemetery preserve the memory of its early residents and immigrant heritage.