2012-02-16 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 3 February 16, 2012 is space available, we could consider people from other states. We haven’t had inquiries from people from other states yet and we are trying to work on an individual case basis. Mr. Babiak said they also need to leave space for short term patients who come in for rehab a certain amount of time and then want to go home. There was a continued discussion about the residency requirement for the Yukio Okutso State Veterans Home, which was (Inaudible). Mr. Lum said the cemetery issue is the same; residency versus non-residency and the bill that is before the legislature would eliminate residency requirements and make it clear that veterans from other states can be buried here. It’s a little different than the State Veterans Home side because the cemeteries although built on state land, construction was financed by the federal government and is maintained by the County of Hawaii as far as on outer islands. Kaneohe Cemetery is maintained by the state and Punchbowl is maintained with federal funds. He believes the bill will pass easily. Mr. Nishimoto asked Mr. Flores and Mr. Lum if they knew whether OVS supported the bill relating to allowing non-residents to be buried at Veterans Cemeteries in Hawaii. They didn’t know the answer. Mr. Nishimoto said there is good and bad about the residency requirement. Punchbowl Cemetery is a National Cemetery and anyone can be buried there, the cemetery filled up quickly so it’s a very critical decision. Ms. Carolle Brulee-Wilson will contact OVS and find out their position on the non-residency burial procedure or what type of plan they have. Mr. Lum also shared about a bill relating to State ID cards which can be obtained at the State Governor’s Liaison Office for approximately $10 and is good for traveling in place of a driver’s license. The bill before the Legislature is to have the word “Veteran” imprinted on the State ID card and use that as a Veterans ID card. He recommends that veterans wait until that bill passes to obtain a card. With “Veteran” on the ID Card it could be used to get veteran discounts at various stores. Mr. Flores said they receive numerous requests from veterans to obtain a Veteran ID card so they can receive discounts. He is unable to authorize such an ID card. Mr. Babiak shared that one of the things they struggle with at the Yukio Okutso State Veterans Home is that so many of our veterans don’t have a VA ID card and they don’t have a copy of their DD214 form. He recommends veterans enroll in the Health System and get their DD214 in the system, apply for some sort of benefit to get in the system. Mr. Hanato said he recommended to some veterans to go to the VA Office and get an ID card, and they were told they don’t qualify because they make too much money. Chairperson Fox said you may not qualify for a Veteran ID, but you would be in the system.