2005-02-17 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 3 February 17, 2005 area, the lawn is purple instead of green. By using weedeaters they were spreading the problem. The contractor has since hired someone to weed the area by hand. VETERANS CEMETERY III — Reforestation Project Richard Highley shared that the grant has moved to the state level. The cost to install a hogwire fence with one strand of barbed wire to keep the goats out, ranges from $7.00 to $10.00 per square foot. The total cost @ $7.00 per square foot to enclose the entire cemetery would be approximately $60,000. Looking at getting a volunteer from the private sector to run a bulldozer and hoping that Goodfellows will agree to do surveying. 75% of project could be funded by a grant, 25% would need to be raised. Kukio Golf Course CEO Christine Bean is also interested in the project and discussed possibility of starting a nursery to raise plants and trees in the cemetery grounds. Mr. Stevens arrived late and reported that the reforestation project continues to march forward and gather more allies. Supporters include Jeff Knowles of the Natural Resources Conservation Service who is helping with grant application to cover 75% of fencing costs, Christine Bean of Kukio who shared how they would like to be a part of project, Les Chess shared ideas of how the bulldozing and fence installation could be accomplished and recent supporter Jill Wagner has a plant nursery and has expertise in reforestation. Once the fence is erected, will be ready to put plants in the soil. Gate Mr. Hanato thanked Director Engelhard for supplying materials to repair gate, however, because it is so heavy the gate cannot be installed until the backhoe is repaired. Backhoe has been out of order for awhile. Columbarium Mr. Highley has been communicating with State Cemetery Grants Program Project Manager Scott Gebhardtsbauer, James who is the head of the State Cemetery Grants Office, and a representative from a company in Canada who would like to sell columbariums, but the specs may not match. Mr. Highley said he's looking for answers on how to expedite the columbarium, how to prepare necessary foundation and the difference between the temporary and permanent ones. Mr. Nishimoto will contact new DOD Engineer Roy Kaneshiro who is handling Veterans Cemetery III and ask him for dimensions and reinforcement information to submit to Mr. Highley. He also suggested that West Hawaii veterans hustle for the concrete. Burial Space Mr. Highley asked why the burials are not being done right next to each other, but instead plots are being skipped. Director Engelhard explained that at the time of death, a reservation can be made for the surviving spouse. Mr. Highley said that Kimo (P &R