Department of Accounting and General Services

The flame in the Eternal Flame Memorial is temporarily out because of a blocked gas line. The state of Hawai‘i Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) is working to uncover the source of the problem. Blocked gas lines are a rare occurrence.

This does not pose a safety issue. For now, the gas has been turned off. DAGS says this does not appear to be vandalism.

On Friday, Hawai‘i Gas Co. crews assisted DAGS by attempting to clear the blocked gas line between the meter on the ‘Ewa side of the memorial, and the flame, by using a high-pressure burst of air, but that was not successful. The next step is for DAGS to clear the line or to replace the plugged section of piping. DAGS will know more by early next week.

“DAGS is working tirelessly to repair this as soon as possible. The Eternal Flame burns endlessly in remembrance of the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. We understand the importance of maintaining this memorial to honor those who lost their lives defending our freedom,” said DAGS Director and Comptroller Keith Regan.

The memorial is part of the collection of the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA), an attached agency of DAGS. The copper and bronze abstract art sculpture by Kaua‘i sculptor Bumpei Akaji, a 442nd Regimental Combat Team veteran, sits across the Hawai‘i State Capitol in the Mauka Mall, at 415 S. Beretania Street.