State takeover is option for neglected cemetery

Question: Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Pearl City is in deplorable condition. Grass is so high it’s difficult to locate graves. Who is responsible for the upkeep of that cemetery? We need to know! (Two complaints received.)

Answer: Sunset Memorial Park has been the subject of numerous complaints to Kokua Line, beginning in 2000 and most recently in 2011 (bit.ly/16tZqm4).

Back in 2000 the then-elderly cemetery owner said he was doing his best to maintain the cemetery but that there was not a lot of money available for upkeep.

The lack of maintenance of the small cemetery at 848 Fourth St. continues to be a major problem.

Since the mid-2000s, Lagofa’atasi Dozinn has been described variously as the president, director and owner of Sunset Memorial Park and is the person the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Regulated Industries Complaints Office has been working with to resolve complaints about the cemetery’s condition.

Although there is a number listed for Sunset Memorial, it no longer is active.

The name of the company changed to Hawaiian Cemetery Association Ltd. in 2005, with Dozinn listed as the agent. But both Sunset Memorial and Hawaiian Cemetery Association filed for "involuntary dissolution" several years ago, according to DCCA’s business registration records.

Sunset Memorial families with complaints should contact RICO, said Daria Loy-Goto, RICO’s complaints and enforcement officer. Call 587-3222.

At last check the agency had received only two recent complaints.

When complaints come in, RICO tries to work with the owner to resolve the problems, "and it’s OK for a while." (Although the business entities have dissolved, there is still an "owner" — Dozinn — whom RICO contacts.)

Inevitably, the complaints return.

At this point, "We are trying to find some kind of long-term solution" to the fate of the cemetery," Loy-Goto said. "The challenge is that we want people to have access. … The state wants to make sure people have access to their loved ones."

She told KHON-TV last year that her office is considering all options. One is having the state take over Sunset Memorial, adding it to the list of four cemeteries it oversees on Oahu.

Whether that would be feasible or even desirable is the big question.

"We’re still looking at options in trying to find some kind of solution not only about the ongoing maintenance issues, but the whole thing — on the status going forward,"Loy-Goto said.

Funeral Planning

In 2013 the state Legislature passed a law — Chapter 531-B of the Hawaii Revised Statutes — allowing people to designate someone to carry out their funeral arrangements. They also may provide written directions about their final wishes.

Here’s the link to the statute on "Disposition of Remains": 1.usa.gov/16Oy8Hj.

RICO has a brochure that explains the law, with a written form that can be followed in spelling out your wishes.

The brochure on "Planning Ahead: Information for Consumers About Funerals" is available online: 1.usa.gov/1vwwapS.

Mahalo

To the crew of United 405 (Dec. 19) and United 534 (Dec. 30), especially flight attendant Chrissy (originally from Pearl City). You don’t know how much it meant to hear your kind words and for everyone helping us board and deplane with twin toddlers and two car seats, especially on the Honolulu-to-Los Angeles flight. One twin got sick as we pulled up to the departure curb. We had to turn around and go home to clean her and the car seat. The flight crew was especially helpful, bringing our stress level down. We forget how much nicer people from Hawaii are, no matter where we meet. — Grateful kamaaina family now living on the mainland

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Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.