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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES for 2020-02-25 FINALVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Tuesday, February 25, 2020, 1:30 p.m. Hawaii County Building Puna Conference Room (Hilo) and Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Present Members Emile Wery Michael Doolittle George Sheridan Debra Lewis Antonio Gaspar Isaac Nahakuelua Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Members Minoru Hanato Antonio Gaspar Marcia Brinkley Guests (Hilo) Christine Carter, P&R Wailani Walker, HCC Ex -Officio (Kona) None Ex -Officio (Hilo) Roxcie Waltjen, Director P&R Roddy Sueoka, Office of Veterans Services Counselor Also Present (Hilo) Brittany Iyo, Secretary J Yoshimoto, Deputy Corporation Counsel Absent None Call to Order Chair Michael Doolittle called the meeting to order at 1:32 pm. Quorum met with eight members present (Isaac Nahakuelua joined the meeting following acceptance of the minutes). STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC None ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Emile Wery made a motion to accept the minutes for November 26, 2019 meeting. George Sheridan seconded the motion. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 25, 2020 Page 2 Eight ayes, minutes have been accepted. OLD BUSINESS Liability Insurance for Events Chair Doolittle: (Introduced topic) We were talking about, last meeting, about the difficulty in staging fundraising events and getting liability insurance and whether or not the County or someone might have an umbrella policy to cover those events. Antonio Gaspar: Uh, Mr. Chairman can I interrupt you? Chair Doolittle: Go ahead. Gaspar: Regarding the liability insurance that we were talking for the last meeting. According to American Legion Post 93 in Hilo, they got an appointment to see Councilman Aaron Chang next week, so they'll be discussing about assistance for conducting program at the Wailoa State Park. I think were going to close that subject. Chair Doolittle: Ok, and that is just for the event that you were proposing. Gaspar: Yes. Chair Doolittle: But the discussion, I think too, is a little bit broader than that, all Veterans fundraising events and how we get insurance for those. So that is still an ongoing discussion. When are you going to meet with the Councilman? Gaspar: According to Paul Astra (sp?) they'll be meeting next week, but I don't know what day. Chair Doolittle: Would you let us know what day? Gaspar: Yes, I will because on March I'm coming again to Hilo to attend the Post 93 meeting so I will let you folks know. Chair Doolittle: Ok, so we'll just table that. Further Discussion on Veterans Cemeteries and War Memorials Listing Chair Doolittle: (Introduction of topic) Marcie, are you there? Marcia Brinkley: Yup, I'm here. Chair Doolittle: ok, what do we have on that? Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 25, 2020 Page 3 Brinkley: Ok, first I want to answer a question about the document that I sent out before the last meeting. Someone had asked where the information had come from about the memorials. On the report, there's two clickable sites on the first page, there was an inspection of all the State Veterans memorials by the Hawaii DOD in 2014 and they published a report so that's where I got the information about the cemeteries, Veterans Home, Lyman Memorial at the Hilo Airport, the Pahala memorial and a couple of other ones. That was the first thing I looked at. There's a book that's available online but I can't find a print copy to make actual copies, but it's called War Monuments and Library Collections of 20th Century Conflicts and it goes state by state. That had a listing of a couple of smaller ones. Then, I added that I knew about and also, we added the Korean War memorial, so its possible that there's another one here or there but I think that's pretty comprehensive that I know. The other thing that I know of and they're not really monuments, there are a lot of World War I grave sites all around the County. I do have a list of most of those, but I don't think that's something we want to add to this list. I sent out this morning, I apologize for doing that so late, but it's just a real rough draft of a spreadsheet that took all that information that I put in the previous report, without all the photos but I set it up so it could be printed out a little but bigger than just one page so it's a little bit easier to read so it came out to 4 pages. I just wanted to ask a couple questions about what needs to be on there then I can share it on google docs so people other than I can go in there and make changes or suggestions. Chair Doolittle: Isn't it the intent to make this not only shareable and amendable but also put it on the County's website? Brinkley: Yes, so for right now, I think we just need to polish it and then I'll give it to the people at IT and then can publish it. But there's just some holes in the information that it's going to take somebody to go out and look at these places. I also need some information from Parks & Rec as to who owns some of this property because Parks & Rec maintains it but some of it is State of Hawaii and some, I'm not sure who owns it. Chair Doolittle: I'd imagine it would be a combination of State, Federal and County. Brinkley: Yes, so I just need to go through it with someone at Parks & Rec. Also, I'm not sure if IT is able to do this. Deb showed me this website where you can look at the list and click on parts of it and a map would pop up or a picture. That would be up to IT how they want to do that. One thing I wondered, the State DOD considers the Veterans Home a memorial, but do we want to include it in our list? Emile Wery: No, there's no need. Brinkley: Ok, so I will take that off, several of them are privately owned, do we want to include them in our list? Chair Doolittle: I would think so. Even though they are private, the notation can be made. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 25, 2020 Page 4 Brinkley: I think it would be nice to have a total list. The third thing is, I have photos of a lot of these places, but I can't get to all of them so when I send the list out if any of you frequent these places or go by there and you're willing to go out and take a current picture that would be helpful but I'll just put that in the email. Does anyone have questions? Debra Lewis: As I look at this sheet, what might be nice is to have some kind of numbering system. For one, Federal building plaques, let's say that's number 6, a through whatever cause how many plaques are well talking about? Brinkley: Yeah, I noticed that didn't get put in there. Lewis: Right, but you could figure out a numbering system and be really definitive and sort out how many we have. What's nice about this because spreadsheets you can sort and what you want with them. The numbering system can change depending how we want them numbered or alphabetically, you can sort them a couple ways. One of the things I was thinking, people go to Normandy, I know it's not the same, but people come and they want to visit, we might be able to get some funding from the Visitor's Bureau. This would be something as a source as well. We do have to say is it on Public land, is it on private land. Brinkley: yeah, I have that for most of them, but some of them are question marks. That brings up another thing, I have a couple columns for location, would it be more helpful to order it by town or region? Lewis: Yes, it's like a mailing address. Maybe even by District will be helpful. Chair Doolittle: Also, give some thought about the PSA that we're going to put out to seek adoptive groups for these monuments. How might we get that information out? Veterans Organizations, Schools, media both radio and newspapers would be good too. Thank you, Marcie, it's a lot of work. Lewis: The idea is to honor/memorialize and to raise the status of veterans of service in uniform. I'm thinking Shipman Armory is that on there. Wery: You have an Armory in Hilo and then you have one in Keaau but that's owned by the state. Lewis: But we still would list it? Brinkley: yeah, the Hilo one I would have to check to see if it still has a plaque or anything on it. Lewis: But historically, it was, even if it doesn't have a plaque on there. It was used for the military. I would think honoring the use of the veterans (inaudible) Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 25, 2020 Page 5 Wery: You have armories all around the island. Lewis: So maybe a separate category of armories. Wery: You have one in Honokaa that's no longer an armory, its part of the school. You have one in Kohala. Gaspar: Ladies and gentlemen can I interrupt? There is also a memorial at Kamehameha Park in North Kohala, Kapaau, that one was asking before from Company C detachment 499 Infantry. They got what they wanted so they put an M16 tank at the park, that is where they hold their celebration every year. They call themselves, National Guard Alumni. Brinkley: Yeah that one is on here. Lewis: So maybe, I'm just thinking as you look through it there maybe some natural categories. You go through the history and they talk about where they served and worked. I think understanding some of these things of the role they played. It's part of our history. Brinkley: I'll add some things in Waimea then, because the little theatre at the school was a USO. There was a USO at Coconut Island also. Lewis: If you can find it attached to history of military presence, it's a great start. I think that you'll find that once we start to get this rolling with the public, we start to get other things come up. You've done a super job! Chair Doolittle: Anymore comments about memorials? None. NEW BUSINESS Election of Officers Chair Doolittle: (Introduces topic) Brittany, can explain. Brittany Iyo: Because Carolle is no longer here Chair Doolittle: Yes, we need to fill the vacant Vice -Chair seat. Actually, there's two vacancies as well. I know there's been some applications. Wery: Purple Heart, Don Bennett had submitted a request to take Dale Wilson's place. Don Bennett died so Purple Heart's got to pull someone else to take his place. They'll send the documents to you. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 25, 2020 Page 6 Iyo: Yes, so they can send it to Mayor's Office, Rose Bautista takes care of Boards and Commissions, so she accepts the applications. For example, Deb's term was up at the end of 2019, so she submitted an application for another term. I believe she (Rose) came back from the Philippines on Monday so I've been trying to follow up with her on your application, so hopefully she can get that nomination on the County Council agenda soon. Chair Doolittle: I think there were a couple other applications as well. I know Felipe Sales applied. Iyo: I can check with her (Rose) I'm not sure on the vacancies. Wery: Don Bennett submitted his application for Dale Wilson's spot, from Purple Heart but he passed away. His application was sent in quite a long time ago, I'm not sure what happened there. Purple Heart already found someone to take his place, so they'll submit the paperwork. Lewis: Maybe, just make sure his application doesn't go before Council. Chair Doolittle: Do we have any nominations for Vice -Chair? George Sheridan: Wasn't the Vice -Chair from Kona before? Chair Doolittle: The Vice -Chair was Carolle Brulee-Wilson, and she was from the other side (Kona). I would nominate Antonio. Sheridan: Antonio you interested in being the Vice. Gaspar: Si Senor. I don't mind. Question, my commission expires in December 2020. Can you extend me? Iyo: You would just have to submit your application for a consecutive term. That's again through Rose Bautista at the Mayor's Office. Gaspar: You know why I ask? Because it takes so long to get approval. That's why I'm asking now. Iyo: It has to be approved by Council so go ahead and do the application already, George yours ends at the end of this year as well, so I would go ahead and submit an application already. Chair Doolittle: I would nominate Antonio Gaspar for Vice -Chair. Lewis: I second. Chair Doolittle: We have a second. All in favor? Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 25, 2020 Page 7 Nine ayes. Nomination passes. Removal of Carolle Brulee-Wilson's name from West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Gate Sign and Discussion Retarding Having a New Volunteer Chair Doolittle: (introduces topic) We already removed Carolle's name from the sign, so that's already taken cared of. But we need to update how people gain access to the west side cemetery. I don't know how we do that. I would leave that to the members on the west side to figure that out. Brinkley: I told these guys that I would do it unless they were dying to do it. They told me I could go ahead. Chair Doolittle: Ok, thank you. We've resolved that. Iyo: Sorry, hold on. Would it just be your cell phone number, Marcie? Brinkley: (808) 333-0306. Iyo: Ok, so we'll go ahead, and we won't put your name, but we'll put your cell phone number for after hours. Thank you. Lewis: And you have all the information you need? Brinkley: No, but I can contact Carolle and get it. Iyo: Or I can send it to you. Brinkley: Ok, great. Chair Doolittle: Ok, we've successfully resolved all of that. Report on Cemeteries Roddy Sueoka: We just finished the inspection; I didn't get the report yet. When we had to move the memorials and things like that, the cemetery folks on that side just came down for the inspection, two weeks ago. I think we completed all the things we needed to do with the first monies we got. I think that was 2016. Like I said I didn't get the report yet, I sent out an email hoping to get it back before coming here. But that was probably the biggest thing that happened this past quarter. Chair Doolittle: What was that whole work centered around? Sueoka: That was the fire hydrant was at the beginning, we had to move the memorials, we did the extension on the maintenance shed, we had to change the fence line. We actually had to move the flag poles. The one Col. Mitsuyoshi did, we got the money in Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 25, 2020 Page 8 2016 and finally did it in 2019 and now the inspection. That was kind of the biggest thing. Chair Doolittle: Did we every resolve that issue of the flooding on the back side at Cemetery 11. There was an issue with a couple people, I was in a meeting with Roxcie about that. There were some complaints. Director Roxcie Waltjen: That hasn't been done yet, but they did fill in the low spots and it seems to have worked a little bit. Chair Doolittle: Generally, cemeteries are an ongoing thing and will continue to be ongoing. (laughter). Iyo: I think the Columbarium project is almost done in West Hawaii. Sueoka: It's not done yet. Iyo: No, it's not done but it's moving along at least. Chair Doolittle: They also did a flagpole mount or something up on the hill? Iyo: I think that was the Boy's Scouts. Wery: They dug a hole, put concrete and a flagpole. Chair Doolittle: Isn't that right, Antonio, wasn't that completed. Gaspar: It's completed. Chair So there are no other issues besides the ongoing funding and issues that will go on forever. Do we have anything else? ANNOUNCEMENTS Lewis: I have announcements. Chair Doolittle: Ok, Deb. Lewis: There's a couple things, I wanted to bring up, there was a meeting with Carlos Sentena through the VFW channels, he's in Senator Hirono's office and some of the topics that they were working on, was waiving registration fees on cars for 100% disabled veterans which would be $45 but you'd still be responsible for weight tax and all of that. Then a 50% discount for 50-90% disabled veterans which would be $22.50. A priority for registration for student Veterans at UH schools with only 36 months to use the GI bill they're trying to get them able to register for class as critical for them to Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 25, 2020 Page 9 graduate on time. The Veterans State home, we have one in Hilo, and the story that I know is Senator Inouye knew that if he had put one in Oahu, he knew we'd never get one on the other island. He built ours, Yukio Okutsu and the intent was to build one on Oahu. I think all the Veteran Organizations need to be aware, they didn't fund it last time. They funded it in the past but it's not enough funds to make it happen and the need is probably very great on Oahu, but they haven't supported that. So, the number, they're asking, it's supposed to be 24 care with 120 beds in the Kapolei area. So, 26 million was appropriated with 42 million in the Finance and other committees but just making sure that this is a priority, and we want to support Veterans everywhere. There are veterans on our island that sometimes move back to Oahu where will they have a place? Chair Doolittle: I understood that there was 42 million appropriated by the Federal and the 27 million was matching funds that has not been appropriated. This was from the letter that Col. Han had just sent out a few days ago. Part of the problem was that if it was not funded this year, in 2020 they would lose the money. They would need to reapply, and it would be 5 — 7 years before they would be able to make an adequate case for refunding. He was sending out a notice for everyone to get in touch with their contacts to different State Senators and what not, to encourage them to vote to add these funds. Lewis: This is something we want to bring up with County and say we want to support Oahu to make sure this thing goes through. Wery: When it was first proposed, I think it was 195 bed facility and it was determined at the time that they would do 95 here and leave them the bulk to use on another island. At that time, they were discussing Oahu and also Maui. That's why they went with 95 here so they would be left with that remainder. If they would have been the 195 here, that's it, finished, no more. That's why they split it. Chair Doolittle: I was told this just the other day, most states have only one Veterans Home, is that true? Lewis: Yes, there's usually only one. But they don't have islands. Wery: That's why they put a smaller one here. So, they would have the ability to put another one on another island. Chair Doolittle: Even at 195 beds/200 beds when you look at the veteran population that's like an infinitesimal drop in the bucket for who might need those services. Wery: But at the time, it was better than nothing. Lewis: But I think the point I want to make sure, this is the time, now. The idea is, I don't know what the time frame is, and we want to make sure the County is aware that this is an issue. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 25, 2020 Page 10 Chair Doolittle: Yes, it's an issue to just make all the elected representatives aware that the State needs to step up and authorize this funding to guarantee the Federal funding stays in place. Whether they start construction or not. Lewis: It was two-piece, the commitment from Senator Inouye was, start it here but this was not, to not do it on Oahu. It was full intent to do this on Oahu. Chair Doolittle: I would encourage that we put a motion up to encourage our Mayor and County Council to step up or make that known, to not only our own State Reps and Senators but throughout the State and other counties that this really needs to take place or were going to lose this opportunity to increase the number of beds available in this state. If we don't, we're going to lose it and chances are, it's going to be decades before this ever comes about again. Lewis: I think that's great; I make a motion to what he said. Sheridan: I second. Chair Doolittle: Alright, we have a motion on the table, you (Sheridan) seconded. Lewis: Any other discussion? Deputy Corporation Counsel J Yoshimoto: What's the motion? Chair Doolittle: The motion is to encourage the Mayor and County Council to support Colonel Han request that we pressure, lobby, encourage support for this initiative to create the Veterans Home on Oahu. Yoshimoto: So, the motion would authorize the Chair and Vice Chair, or whoever to draft a letter to that end. Just making sure you know how you're going to do it. Chair Doolittle: All in favor? Nine ayes, motion carried. Lewis: That was one issue. We know there's $10.2 billion appropriated to VA for suicide prevention, we have a huge challenge here with that. We already talked about some of the stories that affected this island. I don't know how we would access those funds, but it might be something to consider. Maybe some of you have ideas on how we can do that. Isaac Nahakuelua: You said 10 million? Lewis: They said 10.2 billion was appropriated to VA for suicide prevention. That seems awful high, but that was my message. We just need to look into it. Isaac and maybe Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 25, 2020 Page 11 Roddy, can look into ways we might influence like what we just talked about. We need to put dollars into the program. Sheridan: Was that VA? Chair Doolittle: Yeah, I think that was VA. Was that a Supplemental added to their budget? Or was that a demand that they take part of their budget? Wery: Has anyone been up to the new CBOC? Lewis: Yes. Nahakuelua: Yes. Wery: That place was amazing, I was shocked. They open the doors for you. It was a real profession place. I didn't believe I was in the VA. Lewis: It's a great announcement. That they are open and in full operation. Wery: Someone must have put some pressure on them. They smile. It was unbelievable. Sheridan: You what that is, that's Mags. He's the guy in charge. He used to be a doctor at Kaiser. When I found out he was going to move to VA, I jumped right on it. He's the guy in charge, that's the kind of guy he is. He's a graduate of Pahoa High School. Nahakuelua: I commented on that too. He's my cousin, well his dad is. But I talked to Dr. Mag and told him what a great it was, people are friendly and I asked him is there anyone we could praise their efforts and he said it was a Dr. Ryder (sp?) in Honolulu, higher along in the VA. Wery: Yeah, it was nice, they never did it before. Lewis: Ok. Burn Pit Legislation, that's another announcement that they're working on the presumption that you have, because things are happening to people that are deployed and near the burn pits. I don't know this one, Flags were passed and signed. POW/MIA flags fly at all Federal buildings daily now. The treatment court is a two-year program and now that Judge Kubo is retired, they're looking for a federal grant to continue to operate for non-violent offenders, that's an issue. Chair Doolittle: That funding has been in need for quite some time now. Not just because the Judge retired. Lewis: They funded it and then they didn't fund it. Chair Doolittle: Well what happened, was they had to incorporate the Veterans Court Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 25, 2020 Page 12 into the Drug Court and they are not really giving the proper attention to the Veterans Court as opposed to being in the drug court. I'm not sure what the segregation would be if they had the proper funding but we're looking for a new judge to step up and take that. Sueoka: I think Greyson did a good job of keeping that transition as seamless as possible. I had a chance to check in with the treatment stuff. I think Greyson and (inaudible) and they're still kind of getting the information out. I think they're still kind of working it. Isaac are you still on that email? Nahakuelua: I believe so yes. Sueoka: Just this morning they sent me something on two veterans. So, they kind of try to keep it separate. One of the Judges is Hawk, last name. I guess its still kind of working. It's just a matter of the Veterans and mentors trying to get to know the judge. Maybe it's still going to be ok. They're doing the best. Lewis: We still need the mentors; we still need the program. Its proven way reducing recidivism and giving our veterans the support, they need. The continuity. It would be important to revisit it at our next meeting. Just to get an update as part of our agenda item. Where do they think were at? That would be helpful, because that's obviously a vulnerable group. Chair Doolittle: Where did the funding come from before? Lewis: It's a national program but not all states have one. Wery: I think the money came from the state and that was part of the problem. I think judge Kubo was getting money from his budget and sliding it in there. Lewis: Ok, I won't talk about anything but two things. January 1st was the partnering in Commissary and Exchange privileges so they're trying to have Veterans service connected, disabled veterans Purple Heart, former Prisoners of War, all veterans with a service -connected disability rating of 0 to 90% are newly eligible. That's what it says. Wery: They have to have the new ID card. The one you get from CBOC. So, if you're in anyone of those categories, in order to get access to those services you have to have that ID card. Lewis: They can go in with a disability, they can print a letter from their e -benefits account indicating they are eligible for those privileges and they bring their letter, driver license, passport, another ID to the installation and will allow them to get the privileges at the Commissary and Exchanges and MWR facilities. So, it's a pretty big deal that it opened up to them. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 25, 2020 Page 13 Chair Doolittle: Do they have to have all those identifications with them every time they enter? Or is that a one time? Wery: If you go to CBOC and you're registered with the VA they have everything there. They scan your records and two weeks later you get it in the mail. It says everything on it and that's all you need. Lewis: But I know someone who used it and they said this is fake. Wery: Well that's a different story. Lewis: The other related piece, the transition from the Choice Program for remote island like our has been a nightmare. The paperwork, you can not be assured. If you had support under the Choice Program which I got through VA and now I'm trying to continue that care, you have to make sure you cross your is and dotted your I's that it's moved over to the Mission Act. That you've received a letter, that even if you have a letter in hand that says the Choice program granted you privileges to a certain period if you don't have the Mission Act engaged as well, you could wind up paying. Nahakuelua: And, from what I understand you have to contact the provider and the provider should know on how to switch an insurance coding number that they have to switch around. Sounds like it's easy but the provider does it. Lewis: Well yes, it is easy if the person on the other end when the provider calls, and they know the right number and the right person. Then, if you have on going care you just have to stay aware and make sure you're covered. If you've got a good place that you're going to, they will check before you arrive, but not all places do. That was it. The only other thing in the group here is Roxcie, thank you for being here, Brittany has been helping us here and we did not meet... Christine Carter: Christine. Lewis: Christine, or we did meet and invited you to come maybe. Iyo: I'll be leaving Parks at the end of this month and Christine will be taking over for me. Lewis: well that's an announcement. You have big shoes to fill. Wery: Roxcie, they're all running away from you. Director Waltjen: I know. (Laughter) Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 25, 2020 Page 14 Lewis: And if you haven't met, Wailani, who's here, he has been helping us and helping Veterans at HCC as far as Veterans support. I also invited Fresh from the Governor's office to come. Maybe we can send him a copy of the minutes. That's all I had for announcements. Chair Doolittle: Did you want to say something? Wailani Walker: Just numbers for you guys. Right now, listed 239 vets that's taking advantage of benefits. There's a lot more vets from VFW that they're not even getting benefits, but they are. They are seeking to get everything in line after finding out that our Chapter 31 exists, and they can at least get some help if they have at least 10% service related. There's about 250 that I can count that come to see me on a drop-in basis. Sad news that one of my Sergeants messed up, you probably heard about it, up in Eden Rock. That was one of my students and I just seen him couple weeks prior and then he murdered a guy with the cane or something like that happened. We're trying to figure out what's going to happen there. A lot of the vets they come in and they're stressed out, sad to say the VA doesn't really pay attention to press 1, press 2, press 3 but I'm going with them in the office while they're going through their spike because that's all they get. Finally, when a real person gets on the phone you need to get to this other extension. It's crazy but doable, the patience. Our school has the Kako'o fund, almost like the Purple Heart book fund, we can help them while they're waiting for their monies to come in, we can give them up to $500 to help them out with their books. Lewis: Thank you, Wailani. We appreciate all your help; he came in steep learning curve too. But one of the huge things that he alluded to is just the presence of someone caring about their issues, means so much. Walker: You guys know about Hope Services, they have a Vet home too on Kinoole/. They have seven beds, have to be males, sad to say, I have female vets too, I'm trying to put together a reso for our school. I used to have an all guy reso called Kaho'okane, with the growth of men and my Vice -Chancellor wants me to morph that into a growth of Veterans also. So, it's going to change, they want a safe place to hang out. No matter what line of service you're in, having that buddy connections helps. I'm learning that being a civilian, not a veteran they need their space, coffee maker, couch, someplace they can hang out, talk their life, share. Were in the process of finding space. Another veteran came up to me the other day, going to be finishing up his Bachelor's in Art, maybe could make use of the Veterans home that's supposed to be built above 7-11 by Waiakea High School. Chair Doolittle: That's an over 62 facility. Walker: Yes, he's about 70, older gentleman. But he was saying maybe he could teach Art there and live there also. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 25, 2020 Page 15 Chair Doolittle: We're hoping to break ground with that project by end of the year or spring. That's with Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial. George and I are both on the board there. That's a 98 -unit housing project. Just housing, no services. We're proposing a 21,000 sq. ft. area for CBOC. Lewis: You were thinking when? Chair Doolittle: EAH is telling us were probably going to break ground by end of the year or by Spring. There in the funding process, we've got 50 HUD housing vouchers for it. I think were about 80% funding by now. The CBOC center, back in October the VA sent us an RFI, they wanted all the information we had on location and they're starting to get serious about a permanent CBOC center. Instead of this dancing around from temporary transient facility to transient facility. We furnished them on October 21 a complete RFI, everything from transportation services, everything related to educational services and the like. The VA is looking at it. They new VA thing there is 7,500 sq. ft or less and it's on two floors, but they only have one of the floors. This is a 21,000 sq ft one stop facility that you could put everyone in one building. It's a big project, the board has been active for the last 20 years. It's a shovel ready project. We're a little frustrated with the VA on not moving on this. They want this to be some kind of competitive bid. How can you compete with free? The VA is wrapped up in their process and they're not wrapped up in doing things expeditiously. We're fighting through that. But the housing project is on the way, it will break ground. Those are really positive projects for the community. I'm really happy that George and I both serve on the board and we keep pushing this thing and were ready to break ground. It will be 62 and up, Veterans will have preference on the occupancy list but it's all going to be based on credit ratings and a lot of other bureaucratic stuff. If we don't fill it with veterans, it will be open to any other eligible senior. If you've seen the senior housing up the road on Mohouli, its similar to that. It's a great facility. But that's about it. Anything else? Wery: 13, 14 of May, Korean War Veterans will be power washing cemetery 1 and 2 as well as the Vietnam Memorial. VFW is finishing their candy sale this week, Thursday. Anyone want to buy candy? Nahakuelua: What kind candy? Wery: World's Finest, that's what it says. Lewis: Are you going to be there at 7:00 in the morning? Wery: Yes, we'll start as soon as we drop at Safeway. Minoru Hanato: Chair, this is Minoru Hanato. In conjunction with your combination of the CBOC and Veterans Administration combining together. We have a similar project here but the whole thing went on hold. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 25, 2020 Page 16 Chair Doolittle: I had a conversation with one of the men that was leading that organization and offhand I can't think of his name. But they were looking at a 4 -5 -acre piece of County property. So, what's the frustration? Hanato: Financial and all this other paperwork. Chair Doolittle: Well yeah, that's definitely a reason for frustration. I was going to get back in touch with him for him to follow our model. It'll go through frustrations and trial before it lands its solid footing. They're difficult projects. Hanato: Another announcement, the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery new columbarium is almost done. The old columbarium is full already, so the veterans are being buried in the ground because they don't want to keep the urn at home. Hopefully it will be finished in the next month or two. Chair Doolittle: Anything else over there on the west side. Gaspar: Ok, just for information Post 93 in Hilo they are helping the Knights of Columbus at St. Joseph Church, they cook chili the third Thursday of the month to feed the homeless at the church. What the Post 93 is doing to help to cook from 7:30 — 10:30 in the morning, the third Thursday of the month. They are feeding 100 homeless, every third Thursday. Chair Doolittle: American Legion Post 93, right? Gaspar: Yes, American Legion. Wery: Hakalau Lions Club is going to put in a series of flag poles between the Korean War and Vietnam memorials. They're going through the County and the State. They're pretty big poles, big concrete poles. What they want to do, I seen a plan of it. They have a wall, and it got a curve in it, they have a plaque there just to memorialize the wars, not the names. They found out Hawaii veterans, Big Island, some fought in the Civil War. So, it would be Civil War, World War I, World War 11, Korea, Vietnam, current stuff. The center pole would be the high pole. They'd make it tidal wave proof, sink it in the ground with concrete. They're going through their fundraising right now., they're saying $20,000. Chair Doolittle: Hakalau Lions Club you said? You mean Akaka Falls Lions Club? Wery: Yes, Akaka Falls Lions Club. Chair Doolittle: Anything else? Do we have a motion to adjourn? NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for May 26 at 1:30 pm. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 25, 2020 Page 17 Lewis motioned to adjourn. Wery seconded. Chair All in favor? Nine ayes, meeting adjourned at 2:49 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 3riwavvy rya - Secretary