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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES for 2022-05-25 FINALVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Wednesday, May 25, 2022, 10:00 a.m. Zoom Video Conferencing and Kona Mayor's Office (Via Video conferencing) Present Members Michael Doolittle Isaac Nahakuelua Marcia Brinkley Debra Lewis Laurie Soares Doug Gora Antonio Gaspar Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Members Minoru Hanato Guests T. Ilihia Gionson, Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties Ex-Officio (Hilo) Michelle Hiraishi, Deputy Director P&R Kelcie Figueira, Office of Veterans Services Also Present (Hilo) J Yoshimoto, Deputy Corporation Counsel Brittany Iyo, Secretary Absent Brian Harrington George Sheridan John Hiduchick-Nakayama Call to Order Chair Michael Doolittle called the meeting to order at 10:02 am. Quorum met with eight members present. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC There were none. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Chair Doolittle introduced the minutes from the last meeting of November 30, 2021. Vice -Chair Marcia Brinkley made a motion to accept the minutes as is. Debra Lewis seconded the motion. Eight ayes. Minutes accepted. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes May 25, 2022 Page 2 OLD BUSINESS Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties Chair Doolittle introduced the topic and deferred to Marcia Brinkley to introduce the guest. Vice -Chair Brinkley: introduced Ilihia Gionson as the Hawaii Fellow for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. Ilihia is a caregiver for his dad who is a veteran and is also the Public Affairs Officer for the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Ilihia Gionson: Thanked the group for advocating on behalf of veterans. He cares for his dad who is a veteran. Elizabeth Dole was a US Senator and spent time with her husband while he was recovering from injuries and she was able to meet with caregivers of vets. The caregivers' stories are what inspired Elizabeth Dole to create this foundation to support the 5.5 million caregivers across the United States. The role of caregivers is wide-ranging and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation works to advocate for those caregivers. Currently on the Hill is the Elizabeth Dole Act is a bill that will reinvest in caregivers support at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The program he was here to talk about is the Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties program. It's a recognition and commitment to the veterans and their caregivers, a commitment to make resources available to them. Ilihia is interested in pursuing that designation for Hawaii County. Brinkley: Explained that this body signed a letter to former Mayor Harry Kim to support this designation for Hawaii County. Laurie Soares: Asked what exactly is the designation and what types of services do they provide to veterans. Gionson: The designation indicates that our County is supportive of veterans and their caregivers and is willing to explore what resources we can make available. Some of it is simply bringing attention to the resources already in place. Different Counties, different cities have approached this in different ways. A discussion ensued regarding the different issues and concerns the group has encountered with caregivers needing resources or not knowing where to go for help, including being able to provide help and resources to homeless veterans. Debra Lewis; Motioned that the group reaffirms the support for the Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties' program and that the group does everything possible to be accessible to ask questions and get answers for hold this together as that Fellow. Brinkley seconded the motion. Eight ayes. None opposed. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes May 25, 2022 Page 3 Removal of DAV from Membership of Committee Chair Doolittle introduced the topic and gave a brief from past meetings. Asked for discussion or motion. Lewis made a motion to officially remove DAV (Disabled American Veterans) as a member of this committee and convert that spot to an "At -Large" member. Isaac Nahakuelua seconded the motion. Eight ayes. None opposed. Motion carried. Returning to In -Person Meetings Chair Doolittle introduced the topic. The committee secretary approached Chair whether the group wants to return to in -person meetings or should we keep the virtual meetings. Chair opened it up for discussion. Lewis: Believed we should keep the meetings virtual; this allows everyone to be flexible with locations and travel time for each member. Lewis motioned to keep the meeting virtual as a primary means for the meeting and we allow the public to be virtual or attend in Hilo or Kona locations. Soares seconded the motion. Eight ayes. None opposed. Motion carried. REPORT ON CEMETERIES Hawaii Island — East Hawaii Representative — Kelcie Figueira — OVS Chair Doolittle introduced the topic and deferred to Kelsie Figueira. Kelsie had no new information to report. ANNODUNCEMENTS New member: Doug Gora Chair Doolittle wanted to introduce our newest member, Doug Gora and asked Doug to give a little information about himself. Doug Gora: Doug was on active duty for 16 years. He is involved with the Wounded Warrior Program, and VFW. He worked for the Veterans Court system in San Diego and volunteered with the stand -out program, providing services to homeless. He is here to learn what the group does and be an effective part of the team. WHVC Vietnam Memorial Proiect Chair Doolittle introduced the topic and deferred to Minoru Hanato. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes May 25, 2022 Page 4 Minoru Hanato explained the documents that were distributed (attached) and explained that the group is accepting donations. Donations can be sent to the West Hawaii Vietnam Veterans War Memorial Association. Minoru also brought up several issues concerning rocks rolling down the hill if there ever was a large earthquake, the water issue concerning the County paying for the water at the cemetery and animals at the cemetery. Chair Doolittle offered the solution that we reach out to Colonel Ron Han to discuss the loose rocks and the water. Hiraishi offered P&R looking into the rules and posting of signs to communicate the rules of the cemetery to families. Discussion closed. Additional Event Announcements Lewis announced Puna Hongwanji is having a Memorial Day event on May 28. East Hawaii is having their Memorial Day events on May 30 at Veterans Cemetery II. People can sign up for the 5k on July 5 at Lili`uokalani Gardens now. Hanato announced West Hawaii Will be having Memorial Day services at 11:00 am on May 30 and cemetery. Vice -Chair Brinkley announced the Elks in Kona will be having a Friday Fair on June 10 from 1:00pm — 7:00 pm will be open to anyone who provides services to vets to have a table. Chair Doolittle announced there will be a Memorial day service on Saturday, May 28 at Hakalau Veterans Park. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for May 25, 2022, at 10:00 am. Brinkley motioned to adjourn. Hanato seconded. Chair Doolittle: All in favor? Eight ayes. None opposed. Meeting adjourned at 11:02 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Brig rya - Secretary