2006-07-20 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 3 July 20, 2006 Representative Cindy Evans has concerns about the maintenance budget for Veterans Cemeteries, would like to have a West Hawaii Advisor on the State Veterans Advisory Board (same position as Herring Kalua), and the $300,000 funds for the Cemetery. Mr. Kalua referred Representative Evans to Ed Cruickshank of the Department of Defense and P &R Director Pat Engelhard. Veterans Cemeteries I and II - Columbariums Mr. Kalua asked the State Veterans Advisory Board if the same type of temporary columbariums as West Hawaii - Veterans III could be installed at Veterans Cemetery II. The response is that it cannot be done, we need to solve the problems of those available niches and fill those before requesting new columbariums. Mr. Kalua volunteered to work with P &R to find the doors and solve problems regarding niches including the concern about 1 door for 4 niches. He was told that is how it is at the Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe and they have a wooden door or box for each niche for privacy. He requested more information and photos on that. Louis Kaoiwi requested that Mr. Kalua go back to Ed Cruickshank and share those concerns again because the columbariums at the National Cemetery are individually covered. Funds were previously requested from the State to redo those columbariums because the County does not have funds. They were told to go see Veterans Administration. He shared that it seems like we're going in a merrie go round, passing the buck back and forth. If the VA is not going to do it, we need to request funding from the legislature so problems with columbarium can be corrected. The veterans are afraid to use it because if someone breaks the marble, removes and scatters the ashes, P &R will be liable. Mr. Kalua responded that he agrees with Louis 100 %, but all of the people that were involved at that time, are no longer here or are not aware of problems. He is just informing committee of the response to his request from a previous meeting which was to request one temporary columbarium like the one in Kona to start off for placement at Veterans Cemetery IL The response is that we need to solve problems with the columbariums that are currently located at both Veterans I and IL We need to work with our legislators to obtain funding, Representative Evans is aware and has concerns relating to Veterans Cemeteries. Mr. Kalua informed Representative Evans of the following relating to veterans: On the east side the concerns relate to the columbariums and finishing up of expansion project at Cemetery 11. On the west side recommendation is for the State to communicate with the Veterans groups in Kona and the Department of Parks and Recreation regarding plans. The biggest concern is the issue of running out of space before Phase II is complete in West Hawaii. Something needs to be done right away since no one bid for the graveliners. Chairman Highley said we need to know when the meeting will take place between the Veterans of West Hawaii and the State. He also asked Mr. Kalua if anyone from Washington attends the State Veterans Advisory Meetings and the response was no.