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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES for 2022-09-28 FINALVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Wednesday, September 28, 2022, 10:00 a.m. Zoom Video Conferencing and Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Present Members Michael Doolittle Isaac Nahakuelua Marcia Brinkley Debra Lewis Doug Gora George Sheridan Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Members Minoru Hanato Antonio Gaspar Guests Mia Benitez -Martinez Ex-Officio (Hilo) Michelle Hiraishi, Deputy Director P&R Also Present (Hilo) J Yoshimoto, Deputy Corporation Counsel Also Present (Kona) Brittany Iyo, Secretary Absent John Hiduchick-Nakayama Laurie Soares Call to Order Chair Michael Doolittle called the meeting to order at 10:03 am. Quorum met with seven members present. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC There were none. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Chair Doolittle introduced the minutes from the last meeting of May 25, 2022. Vice -Chair Marcia Brinkley made a motion to accept the minutes as is. Minoru Hanato seconded the motion. Seven ayes. Minutes accepted. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes September 28, 2022 Page 2 OLD BUSINESS Review Draft Bill — Converting Disabled American Veterans member to "At -Large" member Chair Doolittle introduced the topic and briefly explained for anyone new that earlier in the year the committee received a letter from Disabled American Veterans (DAV) that they were never approved to be a part of this committee, so the members voted to convert the DAV member to an "At -Large" member. Brittany Iyo, Secretary, shared her screen so everyone could review the draft bill and discuss. Chair Doolittle asked for any discussion or objections. Assistant Corporation Counsel J Yoshimoto asked the committee if anyone reached out to DAV if Raymond Welch was representing their group correctly. Chair Doolittle informed everyone that through the committee's meeting and discussion for this topic, Mr. Welch represented the group and was very emphatic that they do not want to be represented on this committee. Doug Gora made a motion to support the submission of this draft bill to County Council to change Hawaii County Code. Vice -Chair Brinkley seconded the motion. Seven ayes. Motion carried. ACC Yoshimoto clarified that P&R will be asking Council Member Susan Lee Loy to submit this bill to Council. Veterans Housing Proiect Chair Doolittle introduced the topic and announced that the housing project is getting off the ground and will be having a groundbreaking ceremony around January 16 — 21, 2023 with construction beginning shortly after that. He explained that Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial was created with intent to create a clinic and affordable housing site for senior veterans, and it is finally coming to fruition after 25+ years. Committee members applauded the efforts and congratulated Chair Doolittle on this endeavor. Chair Doolittle closed the agenda item with no further discussion. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes September 28, 2022 Page 3 NEW BUSINESS Wounded Warrior Outreach — Guest Sneaker William Crawford Mr. Crawford was unable to join this meeting and the discussion is postponed to a later date that he is available. Disabled Veterans — Guest Sneaker Mia Benitez -Martinez Mia Benitiez-Martinez is and Peer Mentor for Wounded Warrior Project, she works with Warrior with Ease, and many other groups providing services and programs to veterans. She is beginning to push for more programs and opportunities for veterans on Hawaii Island. Mis explained that the hardest part about providing services on Hawaii Island is the travel distance. Its hard to ga Mia Benitez -Martinez (520)220-0000 micoprincessaggmail.com `Debra Lewis joined the meeting. REPORT ON CEMETERIES Hawaii Island — East Hawaii Representative — Kelcie Figueira — OVS Kelsie Figueira was not present at the meeting, therefore no update. Cemetery Audit Update Chair Doolittle deferred to P&R Deputy Director Michelle Hiraishi. Michelle explained P&R worked with the Akaka Falls Lions Club to map out the cemetery and check that information on headstones match what they have in their database. All maintenance and improvements are going according to schedule and the cemetery staff are working to bring the cemeteries up to standard. The audit team won't be returning to the cemeteries until January f2023. P&R Director Maurice Messina is working with Colonel Ron Han of Office of Veterans Services to keep everyone up to date and progressing. Chair Doolittle offered positive feedback on the great work the cemetery staff is doing at all the cemeteries. Hanato asked to give some updates about the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. He asked that P&R check on the marking stones to identify the Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes September 28, 2022 Page 4 ANNODUNCEMENTS Veterans Day Parade & Ceremonv Chair Doolittle introduce Debra Lewis and deferred to her for this announcement. Debra Lewis announced there will be an in person parade this year. They are looking for more sponsors, volunteers and more people or groups to walk in the parade. For more information about the parade: www.hivetprade.org. Lewis also announced that there will be a ceremony for Veterans Day on the actual day, Friday, November 11, 2022, at Veterans Cemetery I. WHVC Veterans Day Ceremonv Chair Doolittle introduced the topic and deferred to Minoru Hanato. Hanato announced there will be a Veterans Day ceremony at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery on Friday, November 11, 2022, at 11:00 am. Chair Doolittle asked fi there were any other announcements and Doug Gora asked to add an item. Gora explained that he read in the newspaper that there are extended wait times for veterans trying to get medical services. He also explained that the nurses at these medical facilities are strained, and medical facilities are not retaining staff. He wanted to bring it up to the committee. Isaac Nahakuelua added that he did some research on the medical staff retention. Research showed that if the government or agencies can provide some sort of student loan relief, childcare and/or extracurricular activities to help retain medical professionals. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for November 30, 2022, at 10:00 am. Gora motioned to adjourn. Lewis seconded. Chair Doolittle: All in favor? Eight ayes. None opposed. Meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Brig rya - Secretary