2006-05-18 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 3 May 18, 2006 allotment request. Hopefully, this will happen shortly. I also wanted to clarify the concerns surrounding construction of the chapel. The VA wants to revisit the design of the chapel that they had previously approved (Note: They are concerned that it needs to be more similar in "style" and consistent with the facilities that are provided in Hilo). We do not need State funding for the construction of the chapel, as it will be 100% federally funded by the VA. However, we do need 100% of the design funded with state funding upfront (Note: These funds will be reimbursed back to the state once the plans are approved by the VA and the construction is completed). Hoe Ram for West Hawaii Chairman Highley reported there were (2) urn burials recently that the County could not dig down (2) feet into the ground for. The families wanted urns buried in the ground instead of placed in the columbarium. Fortunately, Mr. Harold Denis who was constructing the fence surrounding the cemetery had his hoe ram at the site and was agreeable to help the County dig for the (2) urns. This equipment has since been removed from the cemetery because he no longer needs it for his work there. Chairman Highley said there is a suggestion for the County to obtain a Hoe Ram to be adapted to the Back Hoe to be used in all of West Hawaii by the County not just at the cemetery. He said currently if there is any hoe ram work to be done in West Hawaii, the equipment and an operator has to be brought over from East Hawaii. UNFINISHED BUSINESS VETERANS CEMETERY II — EXPANSION PROJECT Deputy Director Mizuno reported status has not changed since last month's meeting. VETERANS CEMETERY III — WEST HAWAII (Reforestation Proiect) Vice Chairman Stevens reported 125 volunteers showed up at the April 28th planting. Over 400 plants were planted that day, for a total of approximately 1,000 Hawaiian plants. Very fortunate that the PTA Commander has brought troops at every planting thus far and there have also been many volunteers from throughout the island. The next major planting will be scheduled during the latter part of August in order to allow the University to be back in session. Vice Chairman Stevens thanked Minoru Hanato and Rick Highley for their hard work to help erect the greenhouse, which should be up soon. Chairman Highley reported that the fence posts are erected surrounding the cemetery and they are now awaiting materials to come in which couldn't be purchased locally.