2008-03-20 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 3 March 20, 2008 Veterans Cemetery III - West Hawaii Mr. Minoru Hanato read part of the attached Engineering Report (dated 3/7/08): - State Maintenance flew out to Kona and conducted training with the County of Hawaii cemetery operations personnel on burial procedures on February 25, 2008. Mr. Hanato said according to County cemetery workers, the state maintenance crew came to watch them dig a hole on the old side of the cemetery which is almost full and said they are doing a good job. They were supposed to come over and supervise the first burial on the new side, which they didn't do. The new side would include teaching the method of using new graveliners. Mr. Hanato said their concern has always been about the graves caving in. In Kona they only have a vibrator, but a compactor should be used which compacts it good. The vibrator only vibrates the top a few inches, when the next grave is dug the sides will slide in. Mr. Hanato said the new burial site (gravel all the way down) has a different ground consistency compared to the old burial site (dirt and all kinds of stuff). Director Engelhard said arrangements weren't made for the state cemetery staff to come. Miles Okamura was supposed to come, but he left, so the other Herring Kalua came. There weren't any confirmed arrangements made with the State Cemetery. So State Cemetery staff did the best they could with what somebody else promised they would do, but without making arrangements with them first. Mr. Kalua will request a follow up report on what happened when state maintenance came over. Chairperson Fox also asked Mr. Kalua to check if they can correct problem by getting someone from state maintenance to go out and actually watch a burial in the proper area. Mr. Lum asked Minoru Hanato if there is a problem with depths of burials for double burials? Mr. Hanato responded that Boss Hanato said since it was a single burial and there is no spouse, they didn't go all the way down so he is unable to comment at this time. Mr. Highley commented that we aren't complaining, but because they are far away from the OVS and County Maintenance facility, we're just making the County aware of conditions at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery to avoid having future problems with burials. Mr. Highley said he noticed that on the Engineering Report - Phase II -C bid opening is anticipated in mid June, item 3 under Cemetery states: - The consultant is making corrections and additions to the Master Plan