2005-10-20 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 2 October 20, 2005 STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Delbert Nishimoto Temporary Columbarium — Veterans Cemetery III — West Hawaii - Update Mr. Nishimoto reported that the contractor: Coppenberg Enterprises Inc. is presently installing the temporary columbarium - 96 niche unit (4 units of 24 each) at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. The schedule is to pour concrete slab on Wednesday, October 19th, and installation of niches on Thursday, October 20th. The Federal VA will provide front covers for niches and markers upon urn occupation. Columbarium is similar to the units at the Punchbowl Cemetery. New VA Director Mr. Nishimoto announced that New VA Director Dr. James Gene Hastings would begin on October 30, 2005. Veterans Cemeteries Burials Mr. Nishimoto referred to the recent newspaper article about lack of burial times at Veterans Cemeteries due to the employee's union and strongly recommends that members review and enforce Rule 7. He said Rule 7 calls for burials between 8 am and 5pm. He also encourages families to utilize the committal shelter, hold services there and leave the casket with employees. He shared that direct burials are unsafe and not recommended. PREVIOUS MEETINGS MINUTES — JULY 28, 2005 (August 18, 2005 and September 15, 2005 Meetings Were Cancelled — No Quorum) • The minutes of the July 28, 2005 meeting were approved as submitted. REPORT ON CEMETERIES — STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD Hawaii Island Representative Mr. Herring Kalua was not present at the meeting. Release of Funds — West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery — Design of Committal Shelter and Columbaria - $25,000 Chairman Kaoiwi reported that Governor Linda Lingle approved the Request to Release Design Funds for $25,000 for the Committal Shelter and Columbaria at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery III. UNFINISHED BUSINESS VETERANS CEMETERY II — EXPANSION PROJECT Director Engelhard said nothing new to report; the County has not yet accepted the project.