2004-09-23 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 2 September 23, 2004 INTRODUCTION Keith Ribbentrop introduced Scott of the VA National Cemetery Grants Program in Washington DC,. They have already visited West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery III and following the meeting they will visit Veterans Cemeteries I and II. CORPORATION COUNSEL Diane Noda is the Deputy Corporation Counsel now assigned to work with the Veterans Advisory Committee replacing Craig Masuda. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC No Statements from the public. Previous Meeting Minutes — July 15 , 2004 and August 19, 2004 • The Minutes of both the July 15, 2004 and August 19, 2004 meetings were approved as submitted. STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD — REPORT Delbert Nishimoto, Big Island representative on the State Veterans Advisory Board read a report received from Civil Engineer Jonathan Ito of the Department of Defense Engineering Office (he replaced Major Mitsuyoshi who was recently deployed). Veterans Cemetery II Mr. Ito's report stated that the Veterans Cemetery II Expansion Project is 80% complete and should be finished within 30 days dependent on good weather. New Sign Submittal received from Contractor and M & E Pacific to erect sign with the following wording: East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 Mr. Nishimoto and Chairman Kaoiwi would like to add County of Hawaii on the sign so that people with concerns will know who to contact. Oftentimes people call the Federal Government and get referred to various places before they realize that the County maintains the cemetery. Chairman Kaoiwi asked Deputy Director Mizuno to inform the Director about adding the County of Hawaii to the sign. Deputy Director Mizuno added that the grass is growing, trees are planted, final inspection will be scheduled and the project should be turned over soon. Chairmain Kaoiwi suggested that the County be very careful before accepting the project because he does not want to see the County getting stuck with problems in the future. Deputy Director will pass that suggestion on to Park Planner James Komata.