Hawaii is spending money for the first time to clean up and secure eight state-owned cemeteries, good news for families visiting graves and neighbors tired of trespassing.

• Crews fenced the Waiʻe Japanese Cemetery, cut down invasive trees, and cleared out people living on the grounds.
• The state's accounting department got $2.3 million over two years, the first dedicated funding these cemeteries have ever had.
• Clearing the overgrowth took two months and produced 5 to 10 tons of trees and trash.
• Paths to graves that were completely blocked are now open again.
• A longtime neighbor doubts it will hold, saying people have cut through locked gates and fences before.

Outlook: The work wraps up in September, and the state is asking nearby residents to help keep the grounds in shape.