2010-08-19 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 2 August 19, 2010 STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC None PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES — June 17, 2010 The minutes of the June 17, 2010 meeting were approved as submitted. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBER Chairwoman Fox introduced the newest member to the committee - Mr. Caleb Churchill of Hilo VFW. REPORT ON CEMETERIES — STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD Hawaii Island - West Hawaii Representative Dr. Norman Stahl Dr. Stahl — Absent. Hawaii Island - West Hawaii Representative Mr. Herb Lum Mr. Lum reported that Mr. Kawika Riley and Ms. Polzer of Senator Akaka's Veteran's Affairs Committee will be visiting all of the veterans cemeteries on the island next week (August 26, Thursday - Kona and August 27, Friday - Hilo). Purpose of their visit is just to tour cemeteries. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION (Director Robert Fitzgerald — Unable to Attend Meeting — Represented by Deputy Director Clayton Honma) Deputy Director Clayton Honma reported on Triennial On -Site Review: He reported that the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery had an excellent review and was the only cemetery to receive the NCA certification for attaining shrine standard status. The rest of the cemeteries throughout the state didn't attain that standard including Veterans Cemeteries I and 11 in East Hawaii. Deputy Director Honma read observations from report: "I want to thank Gary for his efforts to care for the state cemetery, with exception of the sanction markers and the need to add internment location information on the gravesite markers, this cemetery is in compliance with the NCA shrine standards. The State of Hawaii needs to do a much better job of managing and maintaining all (8) state veterans cemeteries in the similar manner as this cemetery. The Hilo County Government supports this Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, I applaud the Counties for supporting the cemeteries with their workers, equipment and resources. Without their support, the operations would be in much worse condition. The pictures of (8) cemeteries indicates what the state has done to maintain it, however, I believe the state must be responsible for all (8) veterans cemeteries. VA through SCGP has awarded the State of Hawaii grants totaling $20,184,234 to establish and improve these cemeteries. The Director of the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services claims to only have supervisory authority of the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe. If that is correct, there is no structure to ensure that the veterans and their families are being properly served. This review is the only evidence that the state is making much progress towards meeting NCA shrine standards of operations which is a requirement for receiving these funds. The state should focus attention on improving the maintenance of the cemeteries, signage, notify