2009-02-19 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 5 February 19, 2009 Mr. Kalua knows there was a question about that during the site inspection, but doesn't know the results, so hopefully the letter that Mr. Flores will check on from DOD will answer that question. Mr. Nishimoto shared that it bothers him a lot that urns are being buried in full body plots at Veterans Cemetery II. Mr. Lum said the issue has been discussed for a long time whether to continue to allow burial plots for cremains and the conclusion was to allow both because we cannot deny a family that wants cremains buried in the ground. In the strategic plan for Veterans Cemetery III there are areas called cremains area where there would be urn burials in the ground and he doubts it would be the size of a full body plot because that wouldn't make sense. Chairwoman Fox said if there is an urn in a full body plot, it might be because the spouse or disabled child could be buried there. If the spouse doesn't want to be cremated, you will need space for a full body. Mr. Hanato said on the west side there are columbariums, casket burials and urn burials. The families state if they want to be interred in the ground or in the columbarium. In the old burial area, there are some full casket burials, urns are buried in the same plot. On the new side, there is a double burial, casket only. Columbariums can normally hold two urns, unless the urns are too large. Mr. Herb Lum - Report Veterans Cemetery III - West Hawaii Expansion Proiect Update - Movement of Columbariums Mr. Lum reported that Phase II -C construction project has started at Veterans Cemetery III - West Hawaii. The contractor is out there working and it looks like they are in the area where the new columbariums will be located. There has been a lot of discussion of how to and who will be moving the old columbariums to the new area. The contractor will be responsible to move it. The veterans are very concerned about notifying the families of those interred in the columbariums and feels that P &R should handle that matter. Chairwoman Fox asked if dates have been set to move columbariums. Mr. Lum responded that the building of the new columbariums will take place first and they are currently leveling that area, guessing it should happen soon, maybe in a couple months when the actual movement takes place. Mr. Fitzgerald reported that P &R drafted a letter and is sending it to Corporation Counsel for review before sending to the families. This letter is not to ask for approval, it will just be sent to notify the families of what will be done.