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Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 23,2021 Page 13 Michelle Hiraishi: Good afternoon everyone. Yes, my name is Michelle Hiraishi, and I am the new Deputy Director here at Parks and Rec. I am a Veterans myself, US Army, hoorah. I was five years active and four years reserve in the Medical Service Corp, and I am coming to this meeting, partially because I am new to this role. I am a month and three days now in this job. Moe said we have a meeting we need to go to, and I am very excited that it is this meeting because I am also involved in Veterans Affairs and couple other areas, that's where I first met Moe. I'm excited to be here. I have to say to you, Colonel Lewis, my stepdaughter tells me "Aunty, how come you don't know Deb Lewis, she is wahine in the military." So, I've very glad to finally meet you at least this way. Lewis: Ok, so you have to say where your stepdaughter works, she works for HPR. Hiraishi: Yes, K.uuwehi Hiraishi, she is with Hawai'i Public Radio, used to be with Na LeoTV and a couple other different ones but I know she's had some time that she's spent with you and she's just so enamored. Lewis: And she's very proud of you too and your military service and how great you are. Michelle will not necessarily talk about herself, but my husband knows how well, my husband Doug Adams knows. We're very blessed to have Moe and Michelle coming in. The Mayor's team has just been amazing, both the primaries and the Deputies, incredible quality. Parks and Rec has supported us well. Brittany has done a fabulous job helping make things happen. We really appreciate all the support of Parks and Rec and the things that we do throughout the island. Hirai shi: Thank you very much. Chair: Yeah, a big second to that one. I've known Michelle very briefly, but Moe has been a fabulous associate for us here and now leading the Department of Parks and Rec is just absolutely a great, great change. Welcome to all of you and keep it up. Are you going to be a frequent visitor to our meetings? Hiraishi: I think so, I'm not quite sure yet. Moe and I are still working out what he's assigning to me, so I'm not quite sure that I'll be tasked with this. I hope so, I'll ask. Lewis: With them both being Veterans, I think that's pretty awesome. Chair: Yeah, excellent and thank you very much for being there. Anything else we have on the minutes here? Any announcements or updates we haven't covered yet by anybody? ANNOUNCEMENTS Lewis: I think the only thing is a little tid bit of knowledge is that I didn't mention, Nicole is well connected. Her husband head's up, he's the Sergeant Major at PTA (PohakuloaTraining Area). (Inaudible) I hope you will welcome them warmly for all that they do and have done and if you want to hear stories about going all of the world, they