2008-07-17 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 2 July 17, 2008 Chairwoman Fox said she received a call from Lala of Cremation Services of West Hawaii who said its up to the newspapers if they are able to do it or not. As far as she knows, all of the mortuaries including her company are happy to request a flag be inserted when submitting obituary to the newspaper. Lala spoke to newspapers to see if it could be done and was told they would have to check their ability of being able to put it to print. Lala wanted us to know she supported request 100% and if there was anyway she could help to let her know. She also checked with other mortuaries and they feel the same way. Chairwoman Fox will call newspapers and make one final request, but she cannot force them to do it. PREVIOUS MEETINGS MINUTES — June 19, 2008 The minutes of the June 19, 2008 meeting were approved as submitted. REPORT ON CEMETERIES — STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD Hawaii Island - East Hawaii Representative Mr. Herring Kalua - Absent Hawaii Island - West Hawaii Representative Mr. Herb Lum Mr. Herb Lum - Report Veterans Cemetery III - West Hawaii Mr. Lum reported that Mr. John Hao is acting as replacement to Major Mitsuyoshi who is either in Kuwait or on his way. Mr. Hao's specialty is in software and environmental concerns. Bid openings for Veterans Cemetery III - West Hawaii - Phase III will be by July 31st Prior to that bidders will be visiting the cemetery, that date has not been established. This is a slippage of June 26th, but the construction of January 2009 with completion by October 2009 remains the same. Phase IIC plans include solar for lighting and PA system in the committal area. This has nothing to do with solar requirements if we decide to drill for water, which is a completely different matter. Phase II contract is signed and completed. It is currently in the hands of P &R. Previous discussions about columbariums caused some confusion whether there would be brand new ones and if the old ones would be used. Mr. Lum said it's a little of both, there will be four (4) new columbariums in the new site and the old columbariums would be moved next to the new ones. There will be a total of (8) columbariums. There was some concern about who would move the urns. Mr. Highley made it clear that the veterans did not have the capability to move urns. The current plans include hiring a contractor to move them. We don't have to be concerned about movement of urns since its in professional hands. Mr. Lum said that Mark Moses feels there is no water issue as far as toilets are concerned and if necessary Parks and Recreation will ship water in. Somehow the water will be provided for toilets.