2010-04-15 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 3 April 15, 2010 Flagpole — Missing Ball on Top — Veterans Cemetery III — West Hawaii Director Fitzgerald informed members that the ball for the flagpole couldn't be found so P &R will order a new one. Veterans Cemetery III — West Hawaii — Headstones Delbert Nishimoto asked Antonio Gaspar if his brother's headstone was okay and Antonio responded that Mr. Minoru Hanato cleaned it and it looks very good now. He thanked Minoru. Mr. Minoru Hanato said when the contractor poured cement near the first row of headstones, cement splashed on it. Mr. Hanato cleaned it and it is now looking okay. He said it wasn't the fault of the mortuary or the manufacturer. Mr. Nishimoto said that the headstones are powerwashed, but should also be sealed. Granite headstones need to be sealed occasionally because granite is porous. It is recommended that members solicit spray bottles of sealant from companies that sell granite counter tops. Sealant costs approximately $30 per bottle. Chairperson Fox asked VAC/P &R Secretary Nathalie Santos to type a letter to be sent to various marble companies from the Committee on County letterhead. Nathalie mentioned that the County is unable to request donations. Chairperson Fox will instead make request from the DAV Chapter 9 Veterans Organization. NEW BUSINESS Veterans Cemeteries — Missing Headstones Director Fitzgerald reported that according to P &R employee Desiree, P &R staff is working with Dodo Mortuary to prepare a list of graves that are missing headstones and will check on how to replace them. Veterans Cemetery III — Water Supply and Irrigation Line Director Fitzgerald said the water pressure at Veterans Cemetery III is a concern. There are three different locations currently being watered; A and B are in the cemetery and C is the dry forest area. P &R West Hawaii Superintendent of Parks Maintenance Carl De Camp checked on the pressure which drops. The lawn has some dry spots because of the low pressure. He said P &R staff will check on it, if necessary look for funds to install a pump and timer in order to rotate the areas being watered. He also stated that the dry land forest is not supposed to be watered after a period of time. Mr. Hanato spoke to Dr. Richard Stevens on the phone last night who said the water going up to the reforestation hill is watering twice a week at around midnight each time which does not interfere with the water pressure below. They had someone go up there to do the timing. Below the hill, near the columbaria and committal shelter, the timing was done by the County and apparently when one system is going on, before it finishes, the other system goes on, therefore the timing should be corrected.