2006-03-16 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 4 March 16, 2006 VETERNS CEMETERY III - West Hawaii (Funding for Improvements, Expansion of Grave Sites and Graveliners) Chairman Highley said that Mr. Kalua reported at the last meeting that there was an increase from $25,000 to $275,000 funding to improve and enlarge the plan for the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery III. He asked Mr. Kalua the status of the new plan and requested that this committee review a copy of the plans. Mr. Kalua responded that DAGS is working on design planning which should be ready for review approximately June or July, but because no one attended the last meeting, there was no current report. He is hoping they will attend the April 7,t' meeting and provide more information. Chairman Highley said it was reported earlier by Mr. Hanato that there are just nine burial plots left and this plan probably also encompasses the graveliners. He asked Mr. Kalua if we would run into a dead end on burials while waiting for that plan. Mr. Kalua responded that he hopes not, the preparation for the next area should be in place with the liners and he hopes to have more to report at the next meeting. Mr. Kalua said he would ask for a report from Mr. Morita of DAGS who is handling all of the cemeteries statewide. Chairman Highley said that over a year and a half ago there was $100,000 allotted for graveliners which never materialized. He asked Mr. Kalua to inform the state it is a critical situation as there is only a small amount of plots left, we may have to turn veterans away. If we start to bury in the new section, we will have the same problems as there were in the first section. Mr. Kalua said when he came on board in July there was a problem with the columbariums which he's been working on and the State admitted they dropped the ball in that situation. He said they reassured him that the funds would be encumbered in June and July so he will wait for the next report from DAGS and follow up. VETERANS CEMETERIES I AND II Columbariums Chairman Highley asked Mr. Kalua about the status of improvements to the columbariums at Veterans Cemeteries I and II. Mr. Kalua said he still needs to go with someone to look at the problems of the columbariums at both cemeteries. Director Engelhard scheduled to meet Mr. Kalua at Veterans II the next day at 9 am. VETERANS CEMETERY III - WEST HAWAII Meeting with Representative Cindy Evans Chairman Highley said the letter written by Chapter 7 Commander Minoru Hanato was sent to Representative Cindy Evans and other legislators, however, a response was not received. It's discouraging when responses aren't received or at least acknowledged.