2003-11-20 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 2 November 20, 2003 STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC No public statements made. Previous Meeting Minutes — September 18, 2003 • The Minutes for the October 16, 2003 meeting were approved with one correction made by Vice Chairman Denny Austen. On Page 5, Under Announcements: Veterans Day Ceremonies; North Kohala — Barbara Austen was not the guest speaker, she introduced guest speaker — Dr. Jamal Wasan, Retired Colonel. STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD — REPORT Mr. Delbert Nishimoto, Big Island representative on the State Veterans Advisory Board reported the following: Veterans Cemetery II, Phase II Expansion Proiect Date of Notice to proceed on project is November 17, 2003 with 180 working days allotted. The General contractor is GW Construction and the Project Coordinator and Manager is M & E Pacific. Veterans Cemetery III, West Hawaii Attempted to schedule a meeting with West Hawaii Veterans, OVS Director, Department of Defense Hawaii Engineer Major Neal Mitsuyoshi and a P &R representative. However, that meeting will be at a later time. Currently OVS has met with M & E Pacific and they are in the process of redesigning master plan in accordance with VA guidance on approved scope of work. The total construction cost at this stage cannot exceed 1 million dollars. The project will be phased within a period of two years, whereby, $100,000 per phase will be allocated. When it is returned to OVS and DOD, they will seek input for prioritization of project phases from Big Island Veterans and most especially the West Hawaii representatives and P &R. Richard Highly asked if the $1 million funding for West Hawaii Cemetery is not spent in the next two years, would it remain towards the cemetery or will it be lost. Chairman Kaoiwi responded that funds would lapse and be lost. He recommended that West Hawaii veterans communicate with OVS. Richard Highly said they will write a letter requesting an expected date of completion for revisions. Patrick Pavao asked Mr. Nishimoto to request a timeline from OVS to be presented at the next meeting. Office of Veterans Services (OVS) OVS Director General Cockett may be ending his term in December.