2007-07-26 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 4 July 26, 2007 Mr. Ribbentrop recommended someone contact Andy Smith who is the governor's liaison in West Hawaii. Gravelinerc Chairman Highley said federal funds will supply 30 graveliners and after that the County was going to be responsible for it and Director Engelhard said she would find out about that. Since she's not here we don't have an answer on whether or not the County would supply the graveliners or if the families would be responsible. Mr. Ribbentrop asked if the graveliners are optional. Chairman Highley said the reason for the graveliners is to keep the ground from collapsing especially with double burials planned at the new gravesites. Mr. Ribbentrop recommended that committee review Rule 7 to see if graveliners are required. If it's not in the rules, it doesn't make a difference if the state, county or families purchases it because it's an optional item. Deputy Director Mizuno said according to the June 21s' Meeting Minutes Director Engelhard said once the graveliners provided by the state are gone, the families would be responsible to purchase. Chairman Highley said that if the families don't want to buy the graveliners there would be no graveliners. Mr. Mukai said he thought that graveliners in West Hawaii were a necessity. What are we talking about if it's required, he asked if Rule 7 makes it optional. Chairman Highley said from the information he received, Design Partners hired an engineer to examine the existing soil at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. The report states that the soil there is suitable for burial which means a graveliner is not required. If we begin to bury there without graveliners and the soil collapses, he would assume that the study was faulty. It is a safety issue if graves collapse and someone gets hurt, it becomes the County's problem. Mr. Mukai said he doesn't know what Rule 7 states, but if Rule 7 doesn't specify graveliners, shouldn't the committee change Rule 7. Following a long discussion, Chairman Highley requested that discussion relating to graveliners be continued at the next meeting. He shared that he hopes this committee has some influence as to what is done at the cemeteries on the Big Island. Mr. Minoru Hanato said he spoke to a man at the cemetery this morning who said he will be attending a meeting with DAGS on Oahu regarding the cemetery. Mr. Hanato explained how important it is to have concrete graveliners versus the plastic type.