2006-03-16 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

Home

Veterans Advisory Committee Page 5 March 16, 2006 FUNDING FROM THE STATE FOR MAINTENANCE OF VETERANS CEMETERIES Request for Funding Not Sent to Legislators Chairman Highley asked if responses were received when funding requests were sent to the legislature in the past. Director Engelhard explained that we did not receive a response and we never do. Chairman Highley said he wished someone would at least respond to committee, otherwise committee meetings may just be ceremonial and efforts would not be effective. Director Engelhard explained that a request for funds submitted to the legislature does not require a response. If funding were available, the response would be here are the funds. If they can't fund request, there will be no response. Chairman Highley informed committee that he did not write the letter to the legislature requesting funds for maintenance of the Cemeteries on the Big Island. He felt that if Mr. Kaoiwi never received a response then he would just be wasting time. Chairman Highley said committee should think of some way to get the attention of the legislators, state and federal government officials, so they know that members of the committee are veterans and deserve the same honor and regard as veterans across the nation. VETERANS CEMETERY III — WEST HAWAII Cemetery Hours Director Engelhard said extending the hours at the cemetery would require a more than half time position, which we don't have. The request last month came too late, the budget process started in August. She will put the request in August 2006 for the following fiscal year. Chairman Highley said there also is a problem due to heavy traffic during late afternoons. It would take approximately 3 hours to get to and from the Cemetery from Kailua if closure is around 5pm. Director Engelhard said that even if you get a full time person at the cemetery, the hours would be from 6 am to 2:30 pm or if she can receive union approval, she may be able to get it open from 7:45 am to 4:30 pm. NEW BUSINESS RULE 7 - RULES RELATING TO VETERANS CEMETERIES BURIAL TIMES Mr. Delbert Nishimoto shared concerns from constituents about the burial times at Veterans Cemetery II, not familiar with burial hours at Veterans Cemetery III. Initially, families could select a time between Sam until 4pm or Sam until 3pm. He heard that Rule 7 was recently changed, midday there is a lunch break, which at times causes a hardship for mortuaries and St. Joseph church because of the time of their services. He asked committee to look at the issue and discuss in an executive session. This issue was