THE WALL THAT HEALS OʻAHU 2026: VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL REPLICA COMING TO UH WEST OʻAHU

News Release from Senate Democratic Caucus, Oct 6, 2025

KAPOLEI, HI – Oʻahu will soon host The Wall That Heals, a traveling three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., along with its mobile Education Center. The exhibit is scheduled for display at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu in Kapolei in mid-January 2026. This will mark the first time the renowned Memorial replica is exhibited on Oʻahu, offering residents a unique opportunity to honor Vietnam veterans and reflect on the legacy of the war, right here at home. The Memorial will be open to the public 24 hours a day, free of charge, during its Oʻahu appearance, with an opening ceremony planned at the start of the display period and a closing ceremony at the end.

Visitors pay respects at The Wall That Heals exhibit in Hilo on Jan. 27, 2024. The traveling memorial first visited Hawaiʻi in early2024, with displays on Hawaiʻi Island and Maui that drew thousands of visitors.

In its inaugural Hawaiʻi tour, The Wall That Heals arrived in Hilo (Hawaiʻi Island) in January 2024 and was on display 24/7 from January 24–28, then traveled to Maui for a display from February 9–13. The traveling exhibit honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War, and it bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. Hawaiʻi has 278 of its sons and daughters memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D.C., representing local service members who never returned. By bringing this exhibition Oʻahu, organizers hope to provide veterans, families, students, and community members who may not be able to visit the Washington, D.C. memorial a meaningful chance to experience its healing impact.

The Oʻahu visit of The Wall That Heals in 2026 is being organized by the TWTH Oʻahu Committee (under the nonprofit Friends of Kailua Elks Lodge) in partnership with UH West Oʻahu and PASHA Hawaii, with support from the City and County of Honolulu and the State of Hawaiʻi. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) – the organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. and manages The Wall That Heals – selected Oʻahu as a host site on its 2026 national tour, after a local application highlighted UH West Oʻahu’s Great Lawn as an ideal location. UH West Oʻahu will serve as the host venue, and thecampus is working closely with organizers to coordinate logistics, security, and volunteer support. Community volunteers (including veterans’ groups, students, and civic organizations) will be enlisted to assist with the exhibit setup, visitor support, and around-the-clock staffing, ensuring that the memorial’s solemn atmosphere is maintained throughout its stay.

State Senator Mike Gabbard (District 21 – Kapolei, Makakilo, Kalaeloa), who has been a key supporter in bringing the memorial to West Oʻahu, lauded the upcoming event. “As a proud supporter of our veterans, I’m stoked that Oʻahu will finally host The Wall That Heals,” said Sen. Gabbard. “This exhibit will give our community –especially younger generations – a chance right here at home to honor the hundreds of Hawaiʻi’s fallen heroes whose names are on The Wall and all those who served in the Vietnam War. It’s a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made for our country, and it will offer an opportunity for reflection, healing, and education for everyone in our community.”

Legislators and the public from across Hawaiʻi are invited to attend the opening ceremony and other events during the week-long exhibit, alongside veterans and Gold Star families. Organizers aim to make the Oʻahu stop of The Wall That Heals one of the largest veteran commemorative events in the state. “By bringing The Wall That Heals to Oʻahu, we hope to shine a spotlight on UH West Oʻahu and our entire West Oʻahu community, and to show our gratitude to those who served,” said Eddie Freeman, co-chair of the TWTH Oʻahu 2026 Committee, in a statement. “This is a true partnership between the University, local veterans’ and community organizations, as well our government leaders to honor our Vietnam veterans and educate the public.”  Co-Chair Sue Bauer added, “Rarely do you find a community in Hawaiʻi that is untouched by the Vietnam war. We have this incredible opportunity to learn, remember and heal together, we want no one left behind.”

The Wall That Heals exhibit includes a 375-foot-longreplica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, erected in a chevron shape like the original, and a mobile Education Center that displays photos of local fallen service members and veterans, along with historical displays. Since its debut in 1996, The Wall That Heals has visited nearly 800 communities, spreading the memorial’s healing legacy to towns and cities far from Washington, D.C. The upcoming Oʻahu exhibition will continue that mission. Visitors will be able to do name rubbings of inscriptions on The Wall, view displays of Hawaiʻi veterans’ photos, and receive support from volunteers onsite. Similar to its neighbor island stops, the Oʻahu exhibit is expected to be escorted in by a motorcade of veterans and first responders, and it will be open for viewing day and night, allowing people to visit at any hour for quiet reflection and remembrance.

Tentative Schedule & Location: The Wall That Heals is slated to be open to the public at the UH West Oʻahu Great Lawn in mid-January 2026. Once exact dates are finalized, exhibit dates and ceremony times will be announced to the public. Admission will be free and open to all ages. Schools, community groups, and veterans’ organizations will be especially encouraged to visit. Additional details, including volunteer opportunities and event schedules, will be shared in the coming months via the TWTH Oʻahu 2026 Committee and UH West Oʻahu.

For more information or to get involved with The Wall That Heals Oʻahu 2026 event, interested parties can contact the TWTH Oʻahu organizing committee at twthoahu2026@gmail.com or Senator Mike Gabbard’s office at 808-586-6830. The website is forthcoming with all information and volunteer sign up options. Organizers welcome support from fellow legislators, community leaders, and volunteers to help make this event a success. Together, Hawaiʻi will honor the sacrifice of our Vietnam veterans and ensure that The Wall’s legacy of healing continues to touch lives across the islands.

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HNN: For the first time “The Wall That Heals” will travel to Oahu to honor Vietnam War veterans