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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES for 2019-08-27 FINAL VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Tuesday,August 27,2019, 1:30 p.m. Office of the Prosecuting Attorney (Hilo) and Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Present Members Emile Wery Michael Doolittle George Sheridan Debra Lewis Isaac Nahakuelua Marcia Brinkley Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Members Antonio Gaspar Minoru Hanato Guests (Kona) None Ex-Officio (Kona) None Ex-Officio (Hilo) Maurice Messina, Deputy Director P&R Roddy Sueoka, Office of Veterans Services Counselor Also Present(Hilo) Brittany lyo, Secretary Malia Hall, Deputy Corporation Counsel (fill in for J Yoshimoto) Jackie Boland(AARP Presentation) Ben Fuata(by phone) Absent Carolle Brulee-Wilson Call to Order Chair Michael Doolittle called the meeting to order at 1:33 pm. Quorum met with seven members present, when meeting called to order. Total eight members present for the meeting. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC None PRESENTATION BY JACKIE BOLAND (AARP) ON RESOURCES FOR MILITARY,VETERANS & FAMILIES Chair Doolittle: introduced Jackie Boland from AARP who will be doing a presentation on resources for Military, families and Veterans. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 2 Jackie Boland: Aloha and thank you for giving me a couple of minutes. I'm the community outreach Director for AARP and I'm actually over on Oahu. But we have an active team in East Hawai`i and in fact we have started a pilot over her on the east side of this island to grow our presence and relevance with our members and the entire 50+ population. With AARP as a membership organization for people 50 and older and we basically came about 60 years ago because our founder who was a retired teacher discovered one of her former teachers that was working for her basically living in a chicken coop because she couldn't afford to pay for healthcare and also a place to live. Since then we've done a lot of work on the health and financial security of older adults and their families. In the last year and a half AARP has started a Veterans, Military and Families initiative, recognizing that a large portion of our membership are veterans. So, we've designed some materials that we hope will be relevant to them. I wanted to tell you about them and offer out to you that we can provide you for free if you have any groups that would be interested in them. For those of you in Kona, I can mail you a packet. For those of you here we have an AARP Watchdog handbook and we've noticed that Veterans are being targeted with fraud recently. We've identified the most common types of fraud for Veterans are. We also have a presentation that goes with this fi anyone has a group that wants to hear a presentation on this. The other thing is, one in six Americans are caring for an older adult or disabled family member, we've developed this Military caregiving guide for Veterans, Servicemembers and their families. In Hawai`i, I don't know the Military side of it, but I will say that one in four people I Hawai'i over the age of 18 is caring for an older adult. I think we have a high ratio over here in the state. This caregiver guide was not developed with just the retiree in mind it was developed with the idea that caregivers would be potentially helping disabled combat veterans as well. One thing that we know, caregiving can be as devastating to the caregiver as getting almost any major disease. Most times caregivers end up getting because they are not caring for themselves and they're not building a strong enough support network. We do a lot around family caregiving. On September 19th we are sponsoring a caregiver conference in Kona. It's going to be an excellent event at the Sheraton. It's not specific to military but there's going to be lots of great information about relieving stress, the burden of care but also accessing services. There's a bunch of handouts that I have less experience with, but they are all about transitions for Veterans from active military to the private sector. A lot of states are working with veterans' organizations to help people re-career. I really wanted to offer out that we have these resources. We'll be trying to get them out through our channels but if you would like them, we'd love to offer them to you. We also have, because East Hawai`i (Hamakua Coast to Volcano) in our pilot area, we have extra dollars for some stuff this year. Outside of this if there are opportunities to sponsor or co- sponsor between now and the end of the year, I do have some resources that we can lend to that. Does anyone have questions? Lewis: You've been doing a good marketing, I've already in my weekly in VFW, which is another hat I wear, you have a link online. I don't know if you have for the caregiver guide but your doo for these and that's so helpful. There are many who will only want the Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 3 pamphlet but there a lot that can access, especially the younger ones that can benefit by having resources online. Jackie Boland: Anything with a"D#" on the back we can order through our warehouse so if you need a couple hundred for example. The presentation, Military Caregiving Guise is hot off the press. It's only been out for about 20 days, but it's based off of our second most popular publication which is called"Prepare to Care." It's basically how to build a team around caregiving. I wanted to mention not specific to Veterans on September 12 we are doing Hawai`i top frauds at Aunty Sally's, we will cover Veterans scams, but it will be all different kinds of scams. In November were going to be sponsoring a couple different caregiver events here. If anyone would like to get involved, I have my contact information here along with my colleagues and we have a volunteer coordinator who just happened to have jury duty today, Jeff Casburn who is our local contact. Minoru Hanato: Can you send a couple of packets to Kona? Brittany Iyo: we'll mail them to you. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Emile Wery made a motion to accept the minutes for May 28, 2019 meeting. Lewis seconded the motion. Eight ayes, minutes have been accepted. OLD BUSINESS Urn Vaults Follow Up Chair Doolittle: introduced the topic and deferred to Roddy Sueoka. Roddy Sueoka: I put that out to the cemetery folks, but I hadn't heard anything. Iyo: I emailed Deanne Ferreira, the head of Hawai`i State Veterans Cemetery. She said they don't supply it at their cemeteries, so they aren't going to supply it for us. If the families want to purchase that on their own, they can. Chair Doolittle: That's the container? That's not the vault at the cemetery. Iyo: No, it's a container for in ground burials. Because it's not required, it's not something we supply. Chair Doolittle: Is there any other questions about that? Sueoka: Yeah, because they were wondering if we were going to provide that or now. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 4 Lewis: And now we know it's not provided. Hanato: So, they're not going to provide that? Chair Doolittle: No, they're not provided. Hanato: Oh, because last month I did two burials at the Veterans Cemetery and one had purchased a vault from Dodo Mortuary and the second one did not. It was only a wooden box. The box was made out of decorative plyboard 1/4 inch thick. I'm pretty sure in one year that is going to collapse. It's a sad thing when they open up the grave to put the wife inside. It's not going to be a pretty site. But I just wanted to check on that. Install Flagpole on Pu'u WHVC Chair Doolittle: introduced the topic. Hanato: Ok, on the flagpole as I said last meeting the Boys Scouts wanted to put up a flagpole on the hill above the committal shelter in Kona. Originally on the original plans they were supposed to put one on to and one on the bottom, every time we have a function, there's a man that goes up there to hold the flag. When the wind blows with him holding the flag it can be blowing him away. The flagpole they want to put up there is a permanent flagpole with lights, so the flag is lighted. It's supposed to hold two flags, American flag and Hawaiian flag one on top of the other. Wery: Who owns the property? Chair Doolittle: That's the West Hawai`i Veterans Cemetery. P&R Deputy Director Maurice Messina: We checked on the protocols and it's against protocols to be flying more than one American flag at a site at a time. Second, to put lights on a pole where there's a flag, well anytime you have a flag flying 24 hours a day you have to have lights on it, so that's electrical permits and everything else that's going to be required for that. But for right now, when we checked with the protocols it said we shouldn't have more than one flag flying at a site at a time. Who's going to be responsible for putting it up and bringing it down. What's the exact protocol for a 10-foot flagpole? What should be the size of the flag. But for right now, it's hard for us to get past the protocol point. Wery: There's already a flag there, right? Messina: Right, and that's why installing another permanent flag there would go against flag protocols. Wery: Why would we need another one? Messina: That's what he wants. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 5 Wery: (To Hanato) Why would you need another one there? Hanato: When you stay on the road you cannot see the flagpole, the one we have now. You put it on the hill, and you can see it from the road. You'll know that's the cemetery up there. On top of that, when they originally drew up the plans, they have two flag poles one on the top of the hill and the one we have now. Boys Scouts, every time we have a function there, you look up on the hill and there's the guy holding the flag. The main purpose is to have the flag flying continuously. Chair Doolittle: Is there a flagpole there now that flies continuously? Hanato: Yes. Chair Doolittle: it's just not a high enough point that suits you? Hanato: Yeah. Messina: Ok, so at this particular site we have overlapping responsibilities. P&R is responsible for the management of the facility, but DoD and Office of Veterans Services would give the final say so to any protocols or movement of any structures. From P&R standpoint it would be a conflict of protocol to have more than one flag flying at this site. Chair Doolittle: I think what he's advocating for is that the site of the flagpole be moved so that the flag can be seen from the road. Sueoka: For us (DoD)would have to put that up to say we want to move it. Then we have to go through the whole process, contractors, bids,permits. George Sheridan: So, you're going to take that flag from where you have ceremonies and services and move it up on the hill? Hanato: No, we're not going to move it. Were just going to add the flagpole on the top. Sheridan: Well, what they're saying is you can't have two flags. That's against protocol. Sueoka: So, if you're saying that you just want to see you, we would have to move it up on the hill. I don't know if we should go through the process just because we can't see it from the road. It's in a good location right now. Messina: So, the way they bypass protocol is when you don't have two permanent flags. Like how he's saying someone stands there and holds the flag for the cemetery but then you take it down afterward. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 6 Wery: All you have to do is drive up the road to see the flag. There's already a sign that says where the cemetery is, correct? So, if you're looking for the cemetery, you look for the sign, you drive up to the cemetery you see the flag. It's not necessary to see the flag to know where the cemetery is. Messina: As far as P&R is concerned, we manage the facility and we would look to DoD and OVS to get the official protocol. (static noise) Deb: We're having a lot of static on this end can you explain? Hanato: I'm opening up the blueprints from the original plans with two flagpoles, one on the very top of the hill. Messina: Just to be clear he's asking for two additional flagpoles? Collectively everyone: no, one additional. Sheridan: one American flag. Chair Doolittle: But he's saying on the original blueprint there were two flagpoles. Sueoka: But from that point to the construction and what was approved, that's why there's only one. Chair Doolittle: Right, that was probably very preliminary built design. Sueoka: And what was contracted and what was put up is what is now. Sheridan: So, what are we going to say? Chair Doolittle: That's a good question, I would say make an official request through channels for what you want and see whether or not they're going to address it. Hanato: Ok, Boys Scouts planning to make fundraiser to help put up flag or whatever, even the fee of the permits. Chair Doolittle: Well have them start and fundraiser and put an application in to see whether they can get it done. Lewis: If the original plans included it, that might improve the chances. Doolittle: But that would be the Boys Scouts and your group there to initiate something like this. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 7 Sheridan: Hanato, where would this flag go? Out by the road? Hanato: inside the cemetery, right on the hill. The highest point of the cemetery. I got to know the procedure for us to start this. We tried to start this at the beginning of the year, and nothing's been done. What is the procedure for us to go ahead on this? Messina: Well I would also look at the committee and ask would you rather have the flags where the burials and ceremonies take place, or would you rather have the flag up on the hill? Wery: How long has the cemetery been in operation? Hanato: 97 Wery: So, the present flag has been there since 1997, 20 years. It's good for another 20 years. Hanato: When we have a function one guy usually walks up the hill and holds a good size flag throughout the whole function. Chair Doolittle: I don't think we can resolve it, but I suggest if you really want to put in an initiative and fundraiser to make that happen then that becomes yours and the Boys Scouts project. You need to find a way through Parks & Rec or State DoD. Messina: Well I would first ask the committee is this something you want to go for or is this a vote, yes you want to move the flag, or you want to leave the flag where it is. Chair Doolittle: Is there a consensus among the table here? Wery: I feel like the flag should stay where it is, it's been there for 22 years. Hanato: But were not moving it. We just want to add one on top of the hill. Deputy Corporation Counsel Malia Hall: I don't know if he heard the part where you can only have one flag. Maybe somebody wants to say it(inaudible) Lewis: Yeah but one of the challenges is, if it were in the original plan that's certainly an additional fact but the current policies and procedures prohibits you from putting more than one flag that's authorized on a site and then because you want it constantly lit and other stuff it further adds complications to it. If it's in your home that's one thing but this is on property that needs to be maintained and follow protocols. Right now, you'd probably have to an exception to policy and make sure you have all the rules. You have some facts that the original contract included it, but you've also got to find out how to get an exception. You get enough support perhaps it can happen. He's not talking about moving the other one. He's talking about having one you can see from the road. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 8 Messina; two permanent flags Lewis: Yup, and maybe the original plans have that for a reason. We're not going to solve it today. But I think it's worth trying to pursue so you can nail down the facts and what the process would be in order to get an exception in this case. Hanato: Ok, now who do we go to get all these protocols done. Lewis: I think you need to ask Parks & Rec and they'll come back with their answer as to what protocols guide them. You also have DoD, the other people, right? Messina: Protocols we've found is just research we've done. We would take the background to OVS and DoD and ask them what their protocols are. But the committee has to be ok with moving the flags Wery: I make a motion to vote on this. Lewis: But he's saying not to move it. But if you only have a choice that you can only keep one, where is that to be? Hanato: If we only keep one, keep the one that is standing there because that is where the funerals are. Sheridan: Have you thought about having a pipe in the ground and putting a temporary flag that you can put up and take down for the services. Hanato: We thought about that too, but we figured we'd have some kind of ok. So, we can put cement with a pipe in the ground? Sheridan: Yeah, I would think so. Lewis: You can at lease request it. Messina: What you might want to do so it doesn't look like it's a permanent flagpole is cement with a (inaudible) Sheridan: That's what we're saying. When you're done you just take it out. You might be able to do that. Why don't you try that Hanato? Lewis: I think you're going to have a much better chance of getting that one than the other one. Messina: I can check on the Parks and Rec side. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 9 Iyo: I think it would still have to go through DoD because it's still their property, we just manage it. Lewis: DoD would still have to be informed. Sheridan: But Parks and Rec will take care of that. Lewis: I think if you'd like the committee to take a vote today, we'd say no, keep the one you have. If you'd like us to pursue what Parks and Rec is suggesting they will go and see if they can make a temporary sleeve so that for events you can stand it up and use it for those events. Hanato: Ok, who I talking to right now? Lewis: This is Deb Lewis, one of your cohorts in crime. Hanato: Ok, sorry. Wery; There's a motion on the floor. Lewis: There's a motion but it hasn't been seconded. Chair Doolittle: There's a motion but I haven't heard what the motion is. Wery: To leave it the way it is. Chair Doolittle: Ok, there's a motion on the floor to leave it the way it is. Is there a second to that. (pause) Ok, no one wants to cut you off. Hanato: laughter, ok I'll look into the protocol. If the Scouts Aare willing to do the other way (cement in the ground and put a pipe in it) Lewis: Parks and Rec has to take the lead on this. You have to put in a request, were leaving the door open. You can put in a request in, what it would take for a temporary one so there's no permanent flagpole there but there's a fixture that makes it safer, so people don't get blown away when they hold the flags for the ceremonies. Hanato: Ok, this is supposed to be one of the boy's scouts... Lewis: Would you like to make a motion to have that considered that Parks and Rec look into the possibility of having a temporary setup to be safely using one not permanently. Hanato: Ok, well do it that way. Let's make a motion. Lewis: I second that emotion. I mean motion. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 10 Chair Doolittle: I hear a motion and a second. All in favor? Seven Ayes. Hall: Any opposed? Chair Doolittle: Any opposed? Wery: (raises hand) Chair Doolittle: one opposed. Hanato: Who opposed? Wery: Me. NEW BUSINESS Vacant Veterans Benefits Admin Office Chair Doolittle: introduces the topic Lewis: Ok, I suggest we call Ben Fuata to discuss all of these. But let me call him, he's standing by. Ben Fuata(By phone): Hello Lewis: Hi Ben, can you hear me? Fuata: Yes, ma'am. Lewis: Ben, were just opened up the new business agenda item. You've seen the agenda. Let's start with"A" Vacant Veterans Benefits Admin Office. Fuata: Oh yeah, yes. Lewis: You want to give us an overview? Fuata: Well I think that; I was monitoring your email and I think that were on a path to recovery. But the bottom line is, it happens. We had an unfortunate thing that happened. Real life incident. We had a Counselor that was outstanding and what he has done is, he has allowed us, streamlined our access to the Veterans Benefits management system. He did not jump any corners. What we've done is, I brought the Veterans down to his office and because he allowed them, because they had the right and with proper ID to provide their credentials and to look at their cases that they have filed for claims. Some of these took years. They had no idea. With me on their side as a Certified Service Officer I was able to provide advice and we were kind of able to chart what we needed to do, what we Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 11 were missing. The Veterans were very pleased because now they knew what was going on, before they had to rely on mail and everything they send to the Veterans was certified mail so as you can just see this, the number one being able to go in to the Veterans system was very beneficial. However, that stopped at the end of June. No fault of anybody, his wife grew ill, terminally, they moved back to the mainland. It's a misfortune but for us it was devastating because we were in the process of expediting benefits of a lot of veterans here on the Big Island. It has been very challenging; I'm talking about Korean War Veterans and some Vietnam Veterans. Some died, I'm dealing with their wives. Just imagine how hard it is for a veteran to navigate the VA system let alone a wife who had no idea of what was going on because a lot of these Vietnam veterans were very closed as far as talking about what happened to them. Nevertheless, I saw through some of the emails that there is going to be a job vacancy that is going to be floated at some time and hopefully we can get a replacement real soon. Nobody else can do what Yergin and his office can do which is give us visibility of our claim cases and the paperwork that was submitted. Unfortunately, they're a branch of the regional office which is a great asset to have for us here on the Big Island. Without that everybody else is relying on calls and were relying on our service department guy to patch us the information because we just don't have the access here. That's just by design. The regional office is up there by Spark Matsunaga. So, in short, I saw a lot of positives leading forward in the email and I appreciate everyone commitment to that. Let's keep up the momentum. I realized with the Federal process it does take time and anything we can do to streamline the process, were just going to have to contend with the once a month coming to Hilo and then going to Kona to service our veterans here from the office on Oahu because of resource shortfalls. Lewis: The only other thing I wanted to add is that they have not provided any flexibility in what those hours are so therefore coordinating between Kona and Hilo. Perhaps we can look at that so that you have access and others have access at the appropriate time instead of the window of time they picked in order to do it. But Marcia Brinkley is here she's talks about the four September event we received handouts which will be on the Kona side and both Directors will be there. That will be a good time for veterans, and we want to put that out and make sure that they know about that. Fuata: You know what these, when these guys come, they go to realize, I realize that Honolulu stretch across with a stretch of the imagination its about 54 miles wide. We have people, and you have to fight that traffic, I get it, because I grew up in Honolulu. But this island, I have people coming in from Hawi and going into Kona that's about a two-hour drive. They're trying to develop cases because of just availability and it's very hard to establish relationship and everything and they're just losing hope in the system and that's what we don't want to happen. They want to do it, it's just that understanding that you come from way north of the island and you're driving 120 miles going over Saddle road after you go around(uhm) Lewis: We got it. We know that drive. So let's just say right now, were not looking for a motion but awareness and continue the pressure for those that are in contact with the Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 12 Directors to make sure that they're aware this is a must fill position and that as much support as they can provide us, it will directly benefit our Veterans. Unless someone else has something else on this, lets move on to the next subject which is a little bit related. The Need for VFW 3875 Service Office to get Formal Training as Service Officer Lewis: That has to do with the Service Officer training. This is another one to push to be able to have capability. Ben has been supporting on the weekends and evenings given his job. Also, Alan Hiroka who is from 3875 has been doing it throughout the week but he has never been officially trained but he can handle the cases on the week. What were trying to do is make sure he gets the training. We are pushing hard is VFW, I had another slew of emails to try to push to get him there. I'm not sure where were going to succeed but any support would be greatly appreciated. You also have 12122 on the Kona side. Charles Sermons, I've been unable to connect with him but he's a resource for us. And because of what's happened with DAV and other complicating factors it's essential that we have support and now that we've lost the VBA so there is even less support for veterans to get their claims. Unless you have anything else on the second issue? Fuata: Well the only other thing with the training just like myself, even with the training, I know we've fought this before, when I say fought this, I challenge the system, I normally if I was working with the rest of the service officers who are certified up there at E-Wing at Spark Matsunaga Lewis: Honolulu Fuata: Yeah, Honolulu, there would be no problem because I would have direct access to (inaudible) and if given the Power of Attorney when the Veteran fills out a 21- or VA Form 21-22 giving the FW Power of Attorney, I got access to their files. I don't have access even if they don't give me or give the VFW Power of Attorney, my only access was I brought the veteran and through that I was able to work with the VBA here. So even if we get Alan trained, they are still hindered by that and that's where it's pivotal when we perform or start developing our cases that we work hand in hand with the VBA Counselor. What I've been able to do is, I've ben able to take a lot of his workload so he can just concentrate on his duties and I will take those guys and work with them on developing their cases so he wouldn't be inundated. That's how we worked as a team. He would instead of starting with ground zero, I would work with them and when were ready to file, we'd go to him to streamline that process. So, yes, we need Alan trained, I think every island needs one but basically this island because Alan and I were talking about splitting up the island and going over to Kona and Kealakekua and over to Kau districts and so forth. It just takes time but were willing to do that to make sure were covering our big island. Lewis: thank you, any questions before we go to the third issue? Possible Impacts of Blue Water Legislation Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 13 Lewis: Ok, in the blue water that's just going to get more you said you had about 15 or more cases waiting as they start releasing the ships log which will Fuata: Well, this is worldwide. With the blue water they came up with a stipulation on House Resolution 299 that they would consider Navy veterans as similar to boots on ground if the ship was docked within 12 miles from shore. Well now, we have surviving spouse trying to find the ship name and if they find the ship name they're trying to find who is the point of contact for the ship log to get to validate that their husband was on this ship that was docked within 12 miles. So, it's between the Department of Navy, Department of Defense, and National Archives and Records Administration. We've been trying to uncover. It's a work in progress but this is not one just exclusive to Hawai`i but all veterans that it affects, all blue water veterans and their spouses. I've been working with National on that, it's a challenge. I think we may be getting close; I don't know. It's a work in progress let's say that. Lewis: Ok, thank you. Any questions? Chair Doolittle: Are there any veterans services officers on the Kona side? Fuata: No, I was the first one they trained besides Maria who is in Samoa, outside of Honolulu. Lewis: Well they used to have DAV correct? Fuata: (inaudible) Chair Doolittle: In the entire County, you're the only one that's trained? Fuata: Yes. Wery: No, ok. Bob Montague was not certified, never was certified, didn't want to be certified. The advantage of that, is that there was no Power of Attorney. If I went to Bob Montague, he took care of everything, there was a problem I could go to someone else. Once you go to, as an example, to Fuata, there's Power of Attorney, I can't go to anyone else. I'm stuck with VFW or whoever that department is DAV. By Bob Montague not being certified, he was just as good, better than all the rest of them because he had a couple thousand people that he took care of, we were better off. What he would do is, he did everything. He gives you the paperwork, you sign it, he gives you the envelope you put it in the mailbox. If they declined it, you went back to him and he appealed it. But the benefit that was there, there was no Power of Attorney, so you had more options. Now Alan is in the same circumstances as Bob Montague, he's not certified. But he's learned from Bob Montague and he's pretty good at it. When we say certified, we have more than one service officer here. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 14 Lewis: they just haven't had the formal certification. Did you want to comment on anything there, Ben? Fuata: Yeah, he is correct. Those guys are more than qualified. The certification is that you have to number one go through a background investigation check. That gives you authorization to look at the personal identifiable information as well as medical records. You also are representing them so your kind of bound legally to them. Are they bound to you? Only as good as the POA is, tomorrow if they want to change it, they can submit the Power of Attorney and change it to another service organization. Wery: Not that simple. Fuata: They're not committed to me. What I am is, once I get Power of Attorney, they allow me to get access to review their paperwork, not only me but all of my VA to include National. If they have issues and they go up I can call Galuchi and those guys to ask for information and to also provide backup in the event. In this case, my backup would be Johnathan if these guys were going on trial or went up for an appeal and they needed representation. By giving Power of Attorney to a service organization we then bring in our lawyers as an obligation to support that. With Mr. Montague and Alan, they couldn't do that because they're not certified, and they couldn't commit to the VFW because they're not certified. Basically, they would assist with these guys and gals with putting in the paperwork but then they would have to give them the paperwork back. Those guys then would take that paperwork send it through the mail, certified mail and push that through. What happened is because they did not declare a service organization, sometimes, I don't know for sure, their paperwork went to the bottom of the pile. If they were to choose DAV, which I think in most cases during that time they were using DAV through Soto or the other guy that they had, Ryan, used DAV and gave them Power of Attorney, so then DAV would then act on their behalf when it came to Regional in Oahu. What these guys were, was a through put operation to get the paperwork done. They were very effective. Emile is correct, they were very effective. Lewis: Ok, can we move to the last issue here? Doolittle: Yup. Handicap Veteran License Plate State Authorization Lewis: The handicap license plate. I know you wrote me a beautiful note on that. Would you like to summarize? Fuata: Well the bottom line right now, Hawai`i and Minnesota are the only two states, the only two states that don't offer handicap license plate. It may vary by state to state on the laws, but bottom line is I can only speak of the states that I knew which California and Texas are. But in Texas if you have a disability of more than 50%, they would then, you take that letter, go to DMV and DMV would award you a disabled veterans license plate. In the state of Texas, they don't put the national handicap sign (wheelchair)what they Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 15 have is the letters "DV" designating Disabled Veteran. What kind of benefits, that would vary by states? But you would have the same rights as anybody who had the placard, they can park in the handicap stall. In the state of Texas, they gave you free tolls, so you didn't have to pay a toll. If you went to the State or airport in Dallas or wherever, you could park your car there for free. First and foremost, I know it varies between state to state but we do not recognize disabled veterans in this state. Right now, you have to go to the Office of Aging and the Office of Aging will give you handicap license plate or placard. The difference is with a disabled veteran license plate, it recognizes you as a veteran and disable veteran. Some states you have Purple Heart, Bronze Stars, Silver Stars, Vietnam Disabled Veterans, it's just another recognition. Like I said Puerto Rico, Virgin Isle, Guam, Washington DC all have it. Hawai`i and Minnesota, the only two that doesn't recognize, now they recognize veterans, but they don't recognize disable veterans. Lewis: All right, that would be something to push. So, if we could have a resolution to encourage others to do that, to support that. Wery: You know uh Lewis: Just a moment, Emile has comment. Wery: As an example, you used Purple Heart, you can go to DMV you can get a Purple Heart license plate. It's just a wounded veteran or something like that. Chair Doolittle: But that's not disabled. It doesn't allow you to park in a handicap parking. Wery: No, to park in a disabled handicap, you have to have a placard through the County. But all you have to do is get your doctor to sign the papers and go through Office of Aging and its done. Its not a complicated process. You take one sheet of paper your doctor signs it, you take over there and you process it, five minutes later you have your placard Messina: is the thing they would rather have disabled vet instead of just handicap. Lewis; Did you hear that? Fuata: Yes, it's that and the other thing, it distinguished you as a disabled veteran. So, the veteran is the big thing. I can show you pictures of where they have a drawn star on the license plate, DV and the number. It just recognizes you as a disabled veteran with what you got. Its just a recognition that's all. I'm not refuting the fact that the process of getting a placard, like Emile was talking about, yeah,it's a no brainer. My point is we don't recognize disabled veterans and one of the ways we can recognize and honor them is through developing and having our state acknowledge by presenting them with disabled veterans' plates. It could be 50%because I'll tell you right now, anybody that went through the trial and error of getting a claim through VA is like pulling teeth so Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 16 when you get 50% that's an accomplishment. That's more than the Office of Aging requires for you to get one of those placards. Chair Doolittle: But even with the disabled license plate you'd still have to go to the Office of Aging to get a parking placard. Sueoka: Fuata, this is Roddy. I understand what you are saying but we'd probably have to get some research to see how many folks would really want it. We've run across a bunch, I offer up the veteran's designation on the driver's license, but we get a bunch that tell me, I don't want people to know. Put in the disabled veteran tag to it might be even more so. A lot of folks don't like to use that disability part in the sentence like the veteran. Before we propose something or push something through, I think maybe we should try and see what the numbers are. Yes, we are the two states that don't offer it however what does the number look like. Fuata: I'll tell you it went hand in hand because I had no idea about this when I registered my car in Texas. But when I showed the lady my paperwork in Texas she goes, you know you qualify for this, this, this and this. Which means that my first car, registration was free, and any subsequent car was only $5. Now you tell me who's not going to do that in the state of Hawaii. The fact that I was able to go to the ez-pay, get a free tag and go on the tolls in Houston and around Austin, I'll tell you just going to work saved me $15 one way. Sueoka: Yeah, but we don't have tolls here. (inaudible) Chair Doolittle: But having s disabled veterans license plate and getting a reduced registration are two entirely separate. Lewis: Well yeah, there's no benefits right now. 1)No recognition and no benefits tied to that benefits. Chair Doolittle: Yeah and tying benefits to that is an entirely different kind of circumstance like the one we have for property taxes for disabled veterans. Sueoka: And we have registration. Then registration for the vehicle,just so we know the registration is a County of Hawai`i thing. You go City and County of Honolulu, good luck. Over here, the Mayor from before, decided that was important. Like I said hang on, let's put that off for a little bit. Fuata: That is a fair statement. Maybe we should go out and survey our veterans. You bring up a very valid point. If there were other things that you had introduced with legislation to bring in and no one really took advantage of it. I just don't want to have Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 17 another repeat of action everybody put that effort and there's no support behind it. That's a valid point that you make. Lewis: Any other questions for Ben? We'll say sayonara. Thank you so much for making yourself available. Fuata: I appreciate all that you guys do for all of our veterans and our state. Thank you. Lewis: Alright, thank you Ben. Chair Doolittle: Are there any additional comments that anyone wants to make? Wery: The County of Hawai`i If you're 100% disabled veteran you pay $200 a year. I don't know if it was signed by the Mayor but there was a bill before the Mayor where it would drop to $100 a year and the surviving spouse as long as the spouse kept the property, they wouldn't pay any taxes it would be $100. If they sold it then of course it's different. Also, the registration cost me $69, my son has the same truck cost him $369 in Honolulu. The State ain't going to give up nothing. Report on Cemeteries Chair Doolittle: Alright, let's move on to the report on cemeteries. Sueoka: You know I don't' have anything new but I did get a phone call, what is and who takes care of, I guess there's a memorial at Kapiolani park. Iyo: Kalakaua Park. She called our office. Sueoka: oh, Kalakaua Park. Wery: The monument at Kalakaua Park it's the waiting pond or what do they call it? Fishpond, that's been there since Christ was a Corporal. I remember that as a little kid playing there. You jump in the water and swim in there. The Marine Corp League, I remember at one point, they were taking care of it. But the Marine Corp League in Hilo doesn't exist anymore. I don't know who takes care of it. Messina: Right now, it's our maintenance staff that takes care of it. Wery: Ok, I brought this up a long time ago. We have a lot of memorials scattered across the island. I have a pamphlet at home that lists everyone. Some are taken cared of by different entities. I think there's a memorial down at Hakalau for WWII. I think the Lions Club takes care of it. There are some scattered all over. I brought this up a long time ago. This committee I think should take overall responsibility, not to do it but to get involved. What could happen, we have a list of all the memorials, and we elicit all the organizations to take care of them. If this organization here, committee has a list of all those memorials, not responsible to get it done but know people that have volunteered or Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 18 entities then they can basically oversee, make sure it's getting done. Then they come here for assistance. That would take care of all these memorials and make sure they're being taken cared of and not just abandoned. Messina: the one at Kalakaua Park. Some recent history for the pond at Kalakaua Park when we instituted security at Mo`oheau Bandstand and Lincoln Park the homeless all moved to Kalakaua Park, we had a big fish die there, for two days our guys fished out 100 something fish out of there. We've pushed the water pipe out there, the homeless wash their dishes, clothes, feet in there. We have brought the security back to that park at night and if this group could somehow stage a cleaning of that pond it would be great for the park. It would deter the homeless from defacing it any longer. But maybe you guys want to tackle one at a time. Wery: It's not just the veteran's organizations but you have the Lion's Club as an example. You also have the boy's scouts, girl scouts, the boys and girls club up there on Haili. Lewis: If we could make a spreadsheet of all the sites and say who Wery: I have a list, I got it from you [Marcia]. Marcia Brinkley: Yeah Chair Doolittle: Yeah, I think that's what Emile is saying, like were doing with veterans' resources. Let's get a list of all of the parks and who has already pledged to take care of each park and maybe solicit Wery: not parks, memorials. Chair Doolittle: Yes, that's what I meant. It's like adopt-a-highway. But maybe we can find groups that will adopt these different monuments to keep them maintained instead of letting them go int disrepair. Lewis: And identify standards for that monument. Wery: Like I said, you got the boys and girls club you got these people going on the highway. Every weekend their picking up rubbish. Messina: What were seeing right now with the influx of homeless, some of the memorials are being defaced. I think for a two-week period we had to go and relight the flame at the Veterans Memorial because there was a guy sleeping next to the propane tank at night and he kept turning it off. I think that would be a great idea, establish a point of contact because unfortunately a lot of times at our office we get the phone calls. A lot of them fall within our jurisdiction, or our parks, having a number that we can call and just say "hey, can you go out and check this. Do you need some help from us for materials?" Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 19 Chair Doolittle: I think that's a great idea. Lewis: Do we need a resolution? Chair Doolittle: Do we need a resolution or a motion, what do we need? Wery: I make a motion that we, ugh how do we phrase this? Isaac Nahakuelua: Get a list of the parks, I mean a list of the memorials. Marcia: Well, I have a list of the memorials, so I'll send that out. Wery: I got mine from you. Marcia: Yes. Lewis: Assign responsibility,point of contact and some standards of what that looks like. Since you've been maintaining it maybe we can get some clarity on what that looks like. Messina: Well, it all depends, some of them it's simply just washing it. When you talk about the fishpond, its... Lewis: Right, it's a specific one. What I'm saying is that it varies monument to monument. Messina: maybe something like UH Aqua class can maybe help maintain that. Wery: You know like I said, you got HCC which brings up another thing, a couple of years ago on our Wednesday meetings we used to have the Counselor from HCC. She was uh, the husband was in VFW and she was Auxiliary, I think. Messina: I'm sorry, not to cut you off but do you guys want to close out the motion on that? Lewis: Yeah, let's make a motion. Wery: I make a motion to do that. (Laughter) Marcia: I second. Chair Doolittle: All in favor? Ayes. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 20 Hall: Are they still there? Lewis: Yeah, are you still there in Kona? Hanato: Yes. Chair Doolittle: Any opposed? Hanato: We really no can hear that great, but I think what you're telling us is finding some organizations to clean the memorials. Lewis: Make sure that someone is caring taking them, yes. Chair Doolittle: Anybody opposed to that? Hanato; No. Eight ayes. Chair Doolittle: motion passes. I think what were asking to do is accumulate a list and also any group that are presently taking care of any monuments Wery: identify them Chair Doolittle: identify them and support that. But also, find out what each memorial need. Wery: As an example, the reflection ponds that World War II and Korean War Memorial also, it was at one time. All the names were there at one time. Lewis: It's still there. Wery: Then, across the street you have the Federal building, the palms there you have a little World War I memorial there. Brinkley: right. So, I have a list of probably almost all of them. So, I'll put it on a spreadsheet. But I don't know what organizations are helping so I'll ask everybody to help fill in. Lewis: It might good in the future to consider having the paper help us out. Maybe they can support us and have visibility. Chair Doolittle: Well maybe public service announcement and ask people to step up and adopt a monument. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 21 Wery: Yu can also go to some of these organizations, approach them and see if they want to pick up the responsibility. There's a lot of options, not just the military organizations. Chair Doolittle: Ok, let's move on. Messina: So really quick, we have to be out of here before 3 o'clock there's a meeting in the Mayor's office. Hanato: Wait, can I go back to the State Veterans Cemetery, I want to know what's the scoop with the columbarium on the west side. Our columbarium has only about one left. That request has gone in from last year. The last word I got was County has not put in the permits yet for the niche, the columbarium. The money is there, but the permits have not put in the permits yet. How come the County is not putting in the permits? Messina: Were waiting for the permit. Hall: If he wants to talk about that he needs to put that on the agenda. Hanato: This has been going on for a while, this is old business. Lewis: well we have a report on state cemeteries. What's the status of the status of the permits that have been submitted? Is that what you're saying? Hanato: Yeah, how come the permit hasn't been applied or whatever because the funding according to OVS said the money is there just waiting for the permits. Messina: unfortunately,just like a lot of things in the County we are waiting for our permit. Chair Doolittle: They're waiting for a permit. Hanato: they're waiting for a permit? Chair Doolittle: Yeah, permits been applied but they're waiting for it. . Hanato: Oh, it hasn't been ok'd. Chair Doolittle: No Hanato: Oh, because I think there's one or two left. Maybe they're filled already Iyo: There's none. Yeah, they're filled already. Sheridan: Wait, who gives us the permit. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 22 Hall: Building. Sheridan: So that's another County department? The County is waiting for the County to give them a permit. (Laughter) Lewis: I make a motion that we submit to the Mayor to say that this has now become urgent because all of them are filled. Wery: Second. Chair Doolittle: All in favor? Eight ayes. Chair Doolittle: Any opposed? Messina: Maybe a better way would be, you guys could make a motion to where I would contact the Director of Public Works and let him know this is what you guys wanted and see if we can try and do it this way. Wery: Amend the motion. (laughter) Lewis: Amend the motion to have Parks and Rec to first go over and try to work it out knowing what our wishes are. And that if nothing happens, we'll implement the motion as stated. Is everybody in favor of that? Amended motion. Chair Doolittle: All in favor of the amended motion? Eight ayes. Chair Doolittle: Any opposed? None. Chair Doolittle: Let's get to the announcements cause we've got to get out of here. ANNOUNCEMENTS Veterans Day Parade November 9th Lewis: Ok, a lot of these things I see are always tied in with the Veterans Day Parade. We got 90 organization, maybe when we identify the monuments let's cover down and see who might be ideal people to do it and every year when we do the parade, we highlight Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 23 the successes of whoever those groups are. I'd like to tie it in. I know Alzheimer's is one of them so I'm waiting for AARP to sign it. Boland: Like to be in it or just to sponsor it? Lewis: Both. (laughter)would be nice but having you in the parade would be great. Having that stated,you did a great job from the first year. So were really excited that you joined us, and the cute thing was, the only thing that didn't get put in for the announcers, we have four announcers, if we have enough money, I'll have six announcers along the route. We'll keep building that to educate people on the services these organizations do. Boland: Is there a site, I'm sorry, is there a place for the paperwork to be downloaded or how does that work. Lewis: Yes, there's a website and I can give you that. And I now have your email, so I'll send that to you. I just think piggyback the parade in order to do the things were trying to accomplish. It's about using that event to try to bring people together to talk issues at the staging area. It's the perfect time to meet the 80 or 90 groups that are going to be there to talk issues and make things happen. I will send out, if its ok, I'll send out the save-the- date and instructions. It's coming up fast. I'm only holding four meetings, but we have a talented group of people who came into volunteer to be a part of the organization of the parade to shape that DAR and BIRMHA we hope will do that as well. It's happening, same route as the Merrie Monarch route and we hope to see everyone there. Oh, I forgot the one piece, I have been asked to invite the Mayor. I have invited him every year, this is my fifth year, and he always stands in the same place to shake hands and wave a support veteran. However, I did notice that yours truly who was sitting here drove that all-terrain vehicle with the Mayor in the Merrie Monarch. There is evidence that he has ridden in a parade. I was told personally to invite him. Please convey to him (Messina) my desire that if he has that kind of vehicle the Mayor seems to have a good time, it's safer for him so he doesn't have to stand for long periods. But that would be my last request. That's it. Antonio Gaspar: Debra, Antonio from Kona, before the Veterans Parade in Hilo American Legion Post#3 wants to do a Sunrise Ceremony at the Vietnam War memorial. Lewis: Excellent, they've done it before they can do it again. Just have your people contact my people which is me. Wery: Are you talking about on Veterans Day or the day of the parade? Gaspar: Before the Veterans Day Parade they wanted to do the celebration, they call it Sunrise ceremony at the Vietnam Memorial. Lewis: Yes, it's a very nice ceremony. We would be in whole-hearted support of it we just need to know, and I need to make sure the permits are in. Or you guys will put the permits in. I remember you guys put the permits in for that piece of it. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 24 Gaspar: Ok, so when I go to the meeting next week Tuesday, I will let them know that they gonna get the permit? Lewis: Yes, because I think you fire weapons and do stuff like that and we try to keep the horses away. Gaspar: Ok. Lewis: You need to do the permit; it won't be the parade that's getting the permit for that. American Legion has done the permit for that ceremony each year that they've done the ceremony in the morning. It's a great ceremony, you just need to make sure because you've got guns and other stuff. We've got a whole bunch of stuff that needs coordinating we can't coordinate that one too. Gaspar: Ok, I'll let you know. Chair Doolittle: We got anything more on the Veterans Day Parade? Hanato; Yes, DAV Chapter 7 is hosting the function at the West Hawai`i Veterans Cemetery on Monday, November 11. We'll send a written request to the Parks and Rec of what were going to do. Lewis: Does that mean you'll also join the parade? Hanato: No, we're going to be busy in Kona. Lewis: Not on the 1lth, the 9th, remember the parade is on the 9th. Hanato: I can not answer that question. We did it one year and it was great, but I can not answer for the other people. Lewis: Ok, you check with your people. Chair Doolittle: Ok, that's the last item for the parade. Statement of Recognition for Emile Wery et all, for Korean War Monument Chair Doolittle: Last item for the meeting. I wanted to make a special recognition for the efforts that Emilee and his Korean War Veterans made over the last 10 or 15 years. That brought about the building of the Korean War monument and the dedication that took place on June 22nd of this year. Anybody that sticks with something like that and does something over a long period of time and makes something happen deserves a special note of recognition. Wery: It's not me, it's them. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 27,2019 Page 25 Chair Doolittle: Well it's your whole group, you led the group and you were the driving force that kept it alive and I think as a committee we need to honor that and recognize that. I'd like to see a motion where we ask the Mayor to, some special proclamation or something that honors that effort. Lewis: I make a motion to do the same. Brinkley: I second. Chair Doolittle: All in favor? Eight ayes. Chair Doolittle: any opposed? None. Chair Doolittle: Good, motion carried. I for one am enormously impressed that people like you will stick to make projects happen, for me. Lewis: That was very impressive in the last six months leading up to the date. Chair Doolittle: That's all the meeting we have. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for November 26 at 1:30 pm. Wery motioned to adjourn the meeting. Lewis seconded the motion. Chair Doolittle confirmed meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Briitcuny rye Secretary