City honors combat-wounded veterans with a new Purple Heart license plate design and new Purple Heart City signs

HONOLULU — The City and County of Honolulu is proud to announce two new initiatives honoring Purple Heart recipients and recognizing their extraordinary service and sacrifice.

For the first time in 35 years, Hawaiʻi’s Purple Heart specialty license plate has a new design. First introduced in 1991, the plate honors military veterans who were wounded or killed in combat and awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

The redesigned plate features a larger, full-color image of the Purple Heart medal, along with the words “Combat Wounded” displayed vertically alongside the medal on the left side of the plate.

“This new, enlarged design is a visual representation of the deep and sincere respect we carry for our veterans,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “It is our mission to make sure our gratitude is not just visible; it is unmistakable.”

“The new design is a proud, visible symbol of the extraordinary sacrifice of combat-wounded veterans who earned the Purple Heart, and our team is thrilled to make the updated license plate available to them,” said Department of Customer Services Director Kim Hashiro, whose oversight responsibilities include satellite city halls and DMVs in the City and County of Honolulu.

District 9 City Councilmember Augie Tulba also reflected on the meaning behind the new design.

“Behind every Purple Heart is a hero whose life was forever changed in service to our nation. Some returned home carrying visible and invisible wounds, while others never came home at all. These license plates are a small but meaningful way for Hawaiʻi to say, ‘We remember. We are grateful. We will never forget.’”

Eligible veterans on Oʻahu can apply for the new plate at any satellite city hall.

A one-time fee of $5.50 will be assessed in addition to the usual annual vehicle registration cost. Applicants must present an original or certified copy of their DD Form 214, or an eligibility certification from the Hawaiʻi Office of Veterans’ Services, to obtain the new license plate.

The redesigned plate was developed in collaboration with the Military Order of the Purple Heart Rainbow Chapter 483, which also worked with the City to help Honolulu earn its designation as a Purple Heart City.

Three new Purple Heart City signs installed across Oʻahu

The City is also expanding its recognition of Purple Heart recipients by installing three additional Purple Heart City signs across Oʻahu.

In 2025, the City installed eight signs around the island commemorating Honolulu’s designation as a Purple Heart City.

The three new signs are located at Waiʻanae District Park, Cartwright Field in Makiki, and Kaomaʻaikū Neighborhood Park, also known as 10 Acres Park, in Mililani.
The Waiʻanae District Park location carries special significance after the park was renamed earlier this year in honor of Purple Heart recipient Shinyei Nakamine and the 100th Infantry Battalion.

“These new signs let the public know that we continue to hold tremendous respect and reverence for the sacrifices made by our veterans,” said Mayor Blangiardi. “We are proud to be a Purple Heart City, and we want our Purple Heart recipients and their families to know that their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.” For more information on the Purple Heart license plate, visit www.honolulu.gov/csd.

—PAU—

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