HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0150.038 1998-2000 May 3, 1999
Charles R. Mayes
50 Kapaka Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone: 808-959-2012
To: James Y Ar'akaki
Chair & Presidinf Officer
Hawaii County Council
Fr: Charles R. Mayes
United States Navy, (Retired)
Subject: Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial, Inc. Grant Request, which will
provide fundig for Start up costs to build a Combined Veterans
Center in Hilo, Hi.
Dear; Chairman Arakaki;
I am one of the 14,440 Veterans on the Big Island of Hawaii, and I strongly
support a Grant for the Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial, Inc., to provide
funds for start up costs to build a Combined Veterans Center in Hilo, Hawaii.
I ask for your support and approval in passing this very important and mean-
ingful issue.
I can speak first hand when I say this Combined Veterans Center is seriously
needed. It is years past due. Our Veterans have been waiting far to long
for this facility. I can't emphasize enough just how badly the Veterans of
this Island need this Combined Center. That is why I urge the County Council
to favorably consider the passing of this Grant Request.
Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial, Inc. (HIVMI) is in the process of obtaining
the land through a switch, 5 acres State land, which HIVMI has requested, for
5 acres of Hawaii County land, which Mayor Yamashiro arranged. The exchange
has been agreed upon with the State Of Hawaii, Dept. Of Land and Natural
Resources.
The Veterans Center will not only benefit the Veterans and their Families,
but will also be beneficial to the Hilo community. There will be activities
for the Public to use, such as Eldery Programs, Youth Programs, Student Pro-
jects, and many other programs that the community can take advantage of on a
scheduled basis. It will also employ a number of people from the Hilo area
on a permanent basis, which will definitely help the Community and Hawaii
County Economy.
The Hawaii Island Veterans have been waiting for 50 years for a facility
like this Combined Veterans Center, which I might add will be the first of
its kind in the State of Hawaii. This concept could very well become a pilot
project for Combined Veterans Centers across the Natiop because it reduces
costs and is self-supporting.
This Veterans Center will be a great asset to the Hilo Community. It will
be something that the Veterans can look up too and respect. It will be a
sign of Patriotism, Honor and Duty that provides a respectable image in the
Hilo Community as well as Hawaii Count. Thank you very much.
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