2006-08-17 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 3 August 17, 2006 side of the cemetery (the part that has not yet been used), remove all of the loose soil and boulders, put in 6 inches of appropriate soil and tamp it down, put in another 6 inches of soil and tamp it down until its done. Those graves could then be dug like regular graves. The families in order to avoid having the grave sinking in can elect to put in their own crypts. OVS is no longer considering the lawn crypts as part of this project. Chairman Highley asked if the Department of Parks and Recreation is satisfied with this proposed procedure, that procedure would address employee safety and prevent graves from caving in. Director Engelhard responded that Major Mitsuyoshi assured her that it would be like digging a grave at Veterans Cemetery I and II. He said the reason the grave site falls in is that the soil and rocks are so big and so loose that there is no control. By tamping down and remediating what they've already done and bringing in new soil should resolve the issue. Mr. Kekumu requested clarification from the chairman on what the issue is because there are separate items, 1) safety and 2) is the project cancelled. He said Mr. Kalua already reported that the funds for that project were going to lapse, so they got transferred, so there are no funds for that. Mr. Kekumu asked where are we going with this, what is the point of this discussion and what are we trying to accomplish here. Director Engelhard said that Mr. Kekumu is correct that the project has been cancelled because the funds were transferred to another account. They could still be made part of another funding source, its just that the Veterans Administration does not recognize lawn crypts, the State could request more funding and make that a separate contemporaneous project (going on at the same time). We feel the safety issue is resolved if what Major Mitsuyoshi says is correct that they will be able to dig the graves just as they do in other cemeteries without having the sides cave in. Mr. Kaoiwi stated that the State Veterans Advisory Board tried to remedy the problem in Kona, however, the federal government said they don't have the money to fund crypts. The alternative is to request funds from the State to install crypts for both East Hawaii and West Hawaii instead of requesting separately. He suggested writing a letter now to Representative Sakamoto, Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs to request funding and Mr. Kalua should meet with him so that he can submit bill for 2007 Legislative Session. Draft of all bills to be introduced should be ready by December so it's important to request funding now. Mr. Kaoiwi said that we shouldn't linger on what lapsed and what didn't take place, but instead move forward. Mr. Kalua said it's very important that Colonel Cruickshank communicates with P &R Director Engelhard about the cemeteries. The other concern is the amount of funding for maintenance provided by the State to the County. Mr. Kalua will meet with Senator Kokubun and Representative Cindy Evans to discuss two concerns; 1) the County's operating budget and 2) the graveliners. He will also speak to Representative Sakamoto about these matters.