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Veterans Advisory Committee <br />Page 7 <br />October 18, 2007 <br />Chairman Highley said it sounds like removal of the fence for additional burials is not yet <br />a problem. If the fence has to come down, they'll just take it down. <br />Mr. Lum said when the proposal was submitted it was a contingency - Plan B, which <br />hopefully will never have to be used. <br />Columbariums - Veterans Cemetery I and II <br />Director Engelhard said we're not going to use the existing columbariums, if we go into <br />columbariums at all, we will instead do something similar to the West Hawaii Veterans <br />Cemetery. <br />Chairman Highley said the temporary ones being used in Kona are beautiful and doesn't <br />see them ever being removed. They will fit in nicely at the Hilo Veterans Cemeteries. <br />The cost of those columbariums was around $25,000 at the time. He said if that's the <br />decision, how do we get them and when can it be done? <br />Director Engelhard said there isn't an answer and she can put it in the budget, but there is <br />no guarantee. <br />Chairman Highley feels its not a maintenance issue and should be handled by the State <br />Office of Veterans Services and since Mr. Kalua is not present, asked Mr. Lum to find <br />out. <br />Director Engelhard suggested that veterans go back to their groups and find out if they <br />really want to have columbariums or if they are satisfied with burials at urn sections of <br />each cemetery. <br />Chairman Highley requested East Hawaii Committee Members to find out if veterans <br />want columbariums during their next organization's meeting. <br />Mr. Nishimoto shared that a major concern about having columbariums at the Hilo <br />cemeteries is that both are not fenced like the West Hawaii Cemetery. We've had <br />problems with vandalism, skateboarders and what happens if the ashes /urns come <br />tumbling out, the structure also does not hold up well during Hilo's very wet weather. <br />Mr. Nishimoto said members need to seriously decide if an upright is needed or if there is <br />enough space underground to have an urn burial section. He suggests continuing with <br />burial section and using the columbarium structure "as is" for installing plaques only as a <br />memorial to veterans whose ashes have been scattered or left at home. That would <br />provide the family something tangible to look at. He suggests members discuss it at <br />their organization's level and ask if its an eyesore that needs to be removed or can it be <br />used for a Memorial? <br />