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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES for 2023-08-23 FINAL VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Wednesday,August 23,2023, 10:00 a.m. Zoom Video Conferencing and Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Present Members Michael Doolittle Isaac Nahakuelua Marcia Brinkley Debra Lewis Antonio Gaspar George Sheridan Tom Wojszynski Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Members Minoru Hanato Guests Juan Babiak, VA Liaison at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home Ex-Officio (Hilo) Michelle Hiraishi, Deputy Director P&R Also Present(Hilo) J Yoshimoto, Deputy Corporation Counsel Brittany Iyo, Secretary Absent Call to Order Chair Michael Doolittle called the meeting to order at 10:02 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 24, 2023. Tom Wojszynski made a motion to accept the minutes as is. Antonio Gaspar seconded the motion. Seven ayes. Minutes accepted. GUEST SPEAKERS LTC Tim Alvarado-Not present will postpone for another meeting Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 23,2023 Page 2 Juan Babiak—VA Liaison at Yukio Okutsu SVH Marcia Brinkley introduced Mr. Babiak to discuss staff shortages at the veterans home. Mr. Babiak spoke of the challenges they have encountered with hiring staff. They've offered pay increases and training programs to promote growth within their organization. George Sheridan joined the meeting at 10:15 am. Discussion continued about staff shortages and then it was closed as no further discussion was needed. Bonnie Montoya—Veterans Experience Action Center Antonio Gaspar announced that Bonnie was not able to join the meeting. However, Antonio announced the VA will be hosting a Veterans Experience Action Center on September 71h from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the VA office. Flyer was sent out to everyone prior to the meeting. OLD BUSINESS Vacancies & Doug Gora Resignation Brittany Iyo announced that Doug Gora will be moving and has put in his resignation for the committee. We currently have two vacancies for the committee and requests that if any members know of anyone interested in applying to please encourage them. The Wall that Heals—Hilo Group Application Chair Doolittle announced that the viewing in Hilo for the Wall that Heals will be in January 2024. The committee is still waiting on the final dates of the viewing. Hawaii County committee is also working to get the Wall to Maui. There are volunteers that are willing to go to Maui to assist and also assist with fundraising efforts. The next committee meeting will be on Friday, August 25 from 11:00 am — 1:00 pm via Zoom and the P&R conference room. Cemetery Updates: Public Directories at all Cemeteries Chair Doolittle introduced the topic and deferred to Vice-Chair Brinkley and Tom Wojszynski. Tom is a part of the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Development and Expansion Association (WHVCDEA). The WHVCDEA has purchased two display cases for these directories. For East Hawaii Veterans Cemeteries, the display cases are completed and awaiting installation. He continues to work with Donna Shimizu to get this installed. West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Open Hours Tom in the previous meeting made a motion to recommend that County enter into an agreement with State Parks for assistance in closing the gate to the cemetery. The State Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 23,2023 Page 3 currently closes the gate to Kekaha Kai State Park. Can they walk across the street to close the gate to the cemetery as well. Michelle Hiraishi reported that DPR Director Maurice Messina has tried to reach out to DLNR but no discussion has been had. However, DPR is in support of this and will try to work with DLNR to make this happen. Budget Requests for West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Tom, at a previous meeting made a motion to have Parks & Rec permanently take over the payments for the portable toilets. DPR will takeover the payments for the portable luas starting in fiscal year 2025. Tom made a motion at a previous meeting that Hawaii County increase on site coverage for on-site personnel at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery from part-time to full-time. Michelle reported that prior to the request by the committee, DPR was working with HR to get this added. DPR is working with HR to reorganize the cemetery staff. We have added three positions dedicated to the veterans cemeteries, one supervisor position to oversee the cemetery staff and one cemetery staff for each the East Hawaii cemeteries and West Hawaii cemetery. Docent Program Vice-Chair Brinkley explained the docent program is running and provide assistance to visitors of the cemetery. They have done training to get the docents familiar with everything at the cemetery. They have about 30 docents currently and working to get more. NEW BUSINESS Retirement of Reginald Alexander—HawaN Island Veterans Services Chair Doolittle announced that Colonel Ronald Han who was the Director of the Office of Veterans Services has passed away recently and he imagines that the Office of Veterans Services may be behind on some issues. Therefore, this item is being postponed. Exploration of Camp Tawara Exhibit at Kona Airport Tom made a motion for the committee to explore having a Camp Tawara Exhibit at the Kona Airport. Marcia seconded the motion. Tom explained that this will be a glass encased exhibit. The Marine Corp League has a lot of memorabilia from marines who went through Camp Tawara. This will be a large eight feet-across exhibit where we can show the importance of Camp Tawara. Camp Tawara sits between Mauna Kea and Kohala and was a training camp as a precedence to Iwo Jima. Eight ayes, motion carried. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 23,2023 Page 4 REPORT ON CEMETERIES Hawaii Island—East Hawaii Representative—Kelcie Figueira— OVS Kelcie did not attend this meeting. Cemetery Audit Update Chair Doolittle introduced the topic and deferred to Michelle Hiraishi. Michelle reported that DPR has not received the final report from the audit team but will have an update for the next meeting. ANNODUNCEMENTS Debra Lewis announced the Veterans Day Parade will be November 4th at 10:00 am in Hilo. Maurice and Michelle, DPR Director and Deputy Director will be the Grand Marshals. Chair Doolittle announced that the housing project next to UH Hilo is about 40 -45% done. They are looking at occupying the units in June 2024. Minoru Hanato announced the Veterans Day Ceremony at West Hawaii Veterans cemetery will be on November l lth at 11:00 am. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for November 29, 2023, at 10:00 am. Debra motioned to adjourn. Tom seconded. Eight ayes. None opposed. Meeting adjourned at 11:12 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Brittany Iyo Secretary