MINUTES for 2023-05-24 FINAL - Laserfiche WebLink

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Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes May 24,2023 Page 3 need to plan out a five-to-six-mile parade around Hilo before arriving at the final viewing site. The proposed site at the Hilo Bayfront fields. The current funds are approximately, $35,000 to $55,000. We'll need to get funds secured by Veterans Day. The next meeting will be June 16 at 1:00 pm either in person at Parks & Rec or via video. Everyone is invited to attend the planning meetings. The committee will continue to be updated throughout the process. Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home—Staff Update Chair Doolittle introduced the topic and deferred to Vice-Chair Marcia Brinkley. Vice-Chair Brinkley gave a brief overview of the topic from past discussions and explained that she spoke with Juan Babiak from the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. They are working hard to increase the number of staff and the number of open beds, to pre-pandemic levels. She offered to invite him to the next meeting to talk in more details. Chair Doolittle accepted the offer to invite Mr. Babiak. NEW BUSINESS Cemetery Updates: Public Directories at all Cemeteries Chair Doolittle introduced the topic and deferred to Vice-Chair Brinkley and Tom Wojszynski. Tom is a part of the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Development and Expansion Association (WHVCDEA). As a part of the WHVCDEA he volunteers at the cemetery and they worked with the County to create a directory for the cemetery. There is currently a binder at the cemetery where you can find the coordinates of everyone (veterans and spouses)that is buried or inurned at the Cemetery. Collaboration with Donna Shimizu, East Hawaii Representative to State Veterans Advisory Council Tom has been in contact with Donna Shimizu to get a directory for Veterans I and H in Hilo. He received burial information from P&R Deputy Director Michelle Hiraishi for the burials at each cemetery and they will be working to get a directory together. BudgetRequests for West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Tom is requesting to make three motions based on this topic. 1) Tom made a motion that Hawaii County increase on site coverage for on site personnel at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery from part-time to full-time. a. Doug seconded the motion. Nine ayes. Motion passed.