2007-10-18 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 2 October 18, 2007 REPORT ON CEMETERIES — STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD Hawaii Island - East Hawaii Representative Mr. Herring Kalua - Absent Hawaii Island - West Hawaii Representative Mr. Herb Lum - Attended in Hilo Veterans Cemetery III - West Hawaii Mr. Lum reported on Phase IIB of the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Expansion Project. Contractor began excavating work on Tuesday, October 16tH Total contract price - $476,064.22. (Base price $448,302; Base bid Plus $27,762.22 for sod in lieu of stolons) Contract performance period. Present estimated completion date - January 28, 2008 Lama trees on Phase IIB site: During Pre - construction Meeting at cemetery on Monday, October 8th, disclosure of Lama trees on -site and desirability of saving the trees was made to the contractor Bolton Associates, the DAGS Representative, P &R Representative, and others present. Bolton seemed amenable; DAGS will take under advisement. Chairman Highley said that someone from Kona should notify Dr. Richard Stevens about the possibility of the removal of that tree because he wanted to save that tree. During cemetery site visit on Wednesday, October 17th, Mr. Lum noted that the trees were not cordoned off. He called John Grogan, advised Richard Stevens and e- mailed Major Mark Moses requesting that the trees be spared. Chairman Highley said the tree is in the area of proposed excavation. The excavation will bring the burial ground to the same height as the existing side. Mr. Lum shared a photo of the tree and explained where work is currently taking place. He was told that it would take a couple spaces of burial ground to preserve the tree. Mr. Lum said that Bolton is aware of that tree and what we want to do with it, but we understand they can't do anything until it comes from DAGS. We've notified Major Moses to coordinate to extent necessary because we can't tell Bolton what to do especially if its oil, it has to be in writing. That was understood during the Pre - Construction Meeting. They are aware that time is pressing. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Veterans Cemetery III - West Hawaii Reforestation Proiect Mr. Gaspar reported on September 29th, Saturday, planting project. 134 Volunteers helped to weed, clean under keawe trees and plant 300 young trees below slope on west side of the pole. (Volunteers came from BISAC (34 from BISAC), American Legion, Vietnam War Veterans, DAV, Korean War Veterans, and other community groups) Work project gathering began at 8:15 am at the flagpole. Opening prayer and