2013-08-15 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

Home

Veterans Advisory Committee Page 2 August 15, 2013 REPORT ON CEMETERIES – STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD Hawai`i Island - East Hawai`i Representative – Ms. Carolle Brulee-Wilson Secretary Nathalie Santos announced that Ms. Carolle Brulee-Wilson has resigned as the East Hawai‘i representative on the State Veterans Advisory Board and that slot has not yet been filled. Hawai`i Island - West Hawai`i Representative - Mr. Herb Lum Veterans Cemeteries I and II – East Hawai`I – Beautification Improvement Project Mr. Lum reported on an approved project for East Hawai‘i Veterans I and II along with three other cemeteries (Maui, Kauai and Kane‘ohe) to clean up the cemetery; replacement of grass and to clean, readjust and realign gravestones. The project has been approved, however funding has not been identified. This same project has been completed at Punchbowl Cemetery and it looks brand new. Veterans Cemetery III - West Hawai`I – Water Well Project Mr. Lum also reported that The National Cemetery Administration has approved a well project for the West Hawai`i Cemetery which will hopefully remedy the water problems. Project is approved in the Group 2 category which lists projects that are approved without funding. When the state comes up with matching funds it will be placed in Group 1. The priority at this point is 94 out of 100 which is pretty low. We will have to wait in line with other projects on the priority list and we don’t how long that will be. Mr. Lum said they will try to set up a MIA memorial at Veterans Cemetery III; it’s on its way to being financed. He will let the West Hawai`i members present that proposal. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION Deputy Director Fitzgerald shared that Director Honma apologizes for not being able to attend the meeting and announced the following: 1)Memorial Request – Military Order of the Purple Heart Deputy Director Fitzgerald informed the committee of a request received from the Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Dale Wilson to be added to the next agenda – MOPH will present their request to place a Monument for The Military Order of the Purple Heart at Veterans Cemetery II. VAC Member Emile Wery briefed committee on the memorial. He stated that the MOPH has already met with Senator Kahele, the cost is approximately $6,500, MOPH will fund it, there is one placed at the Veterans Cemetery on Maui. The intention is to first erect a memorial in Veterans II and then in Veterans III. The organization has already contacted various businesses and funding is available. They will just need the approvals to put it in place.