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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES for 2023-11-29 FINAL VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Wednesday, November 29, 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 Tom Wojszynski Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Members Minoru Hanato Guests Thatcher Moats, Public Information Officer P&R Ex-Officio (Hilo) Michelle Hiraishi, Deputy Director P&R Also Present(Hilo) J Yoshimoto, Deputy Corporation Counsel Brittany Iyo, Secretary Absent John Hiduchick-Nakayama George Sheridan Call to Order Chair Michael Doolittle called the meeting to order at 10:04 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 August 23 2023. Minoru Hanato made a motion to accept the minutes as is. Debra Lewis seconded the motion. Seven ayes. Minutes accepted. OLD BUSINESS The Wall that Heals —Committee Update Chair Doolittle began by thanking the Mayor, Maurice and Michelle for supporting the committee and committing funding for the transportation of the wall. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes November 29,2023 Page 2 Tom Wojszynski provided the following updates: • January 22—28, 2024 • January 22—motorcycle escort beginning at Hilo Civic to Mo`oheau Park • January 23 —putting frame together/affix panels • January 24—Opening Ceremony • January 24—28 —display dates • January 27—Welcome Home Ceremony • January 28 —Celebration of Life & Farewell Ceremony Please encourage anyone to donate, volunteer or publicize The Wall that Heals. All information regarding The Wall That Heals coming to Hawaii County (including the "In Memory Program" can be found at: https://www.thewallthatheals-hawaiicount�org// Cemetery Updates and Improvements: Public Directories at all Cemeteries Chair Doolittle introduced the topic and deferred to Vice-Chair Brinkley and Tom Wojszynski. Tom announced that the West Hawaii Development and Expansion Association is in the process of developing a World War II memorial for hopeful dedication in May of 2024. Michelle reminded Tom that plans need to be submitted to the County for the World War II memorial before building can begin. All three directories for the cemeteries have been published but will need to check with Donna for the directory at East Hawaii cemeteries. Tom thanked Minoru Hanato for the beautiful display box that he built for the directory at WHVC. West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Open Hours Tom asked Michelle for an update on the operating hours of WHVC. Michelle announced that Maurice Messina, P&R Director is present and he will explain. Maurice will be meeting with State Parks to see if they can assist us in closing the cemetery. State Parks will then have to meet with their unions to see if that is something that can be allowed. Docent Program Vice-Chair Marcia Brinkley announced that there are about 30 docents at WHVC. They will try to start a docent program on the east side of the island, next year. Exploration of Camp Tawara Exhibit at Kona Airport Tom confirmed the artifacts for the exhibit are in Waimea and can be used for the display. The Marine Corp League confirmed they will be responsible for curating the Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes November 29,2023 Page 3 artifacts, creating and maintaining the display. Cy Duvauchelle, Assistant Manager of Kona Airport confirmed they are happy to host the display as long as it is the exact form, fit and color of the sister city display housed at gate 11. Tom made a motion that the committee send a letter to the Mayor requesting construction of a display case be built for the Camp Tawara Exhibit. The install will be at the Kona Airport. The display case will have the same design characteristics as the existing Sister City display case built by the Mayor's office at Gate 11. If necessary, the committee will raise the necessary funds to pay for this project. Minoru Hanato seconded the motion. Seven ayes. None opposed. Motion passed. NEW BUSINESS Proposed Dates of 2024 Meetings Chair Doolittle asked committee secretary, Brittany Iyo to explain. Brittany announced the proposed meeting dates for 2024 will be: • February 28, 2024 • May 22, 2024 • August 28, 2024 • November 20, 2024 All members agreed that the dates look good Exploration of Camp Tawara Exhibit at Kona Airport REPORT ON CEMETERIES Hawaii Island—East Hawaii Representative—Kelcie Figueira —OVS No update at this time. Cemetery Audit Update No update at this time. ANNODUNCEMENTS Director Messina announced that he and Brittany will be traveling to Honolulu tomorrow for Col. Ron Han's funeral services. Please let Maurice or Brittany know of any messages of gifts you would like to send. Director Messina also announced that the static tank display at Kamehameha Park in Kapa'au has been cleaned and painted by one of our maintenance workers. We still need to work to get lead abatement done. However, Maurice sent a letter thanking the employee for a job well done. A copy of the letter has been attached to the minutes. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes November 29,2023 Page 4 Vice-Chair Brinkley updated everyone that the memorial sites around the island continue to be worked on by Marcy as well as the department of IT. Minoru announced Wreaths Across America will be at the WHVC on December 16 at 9:00 am. Chair Doolittle announced the Hale Na Koa o Hanakahi housing project is underway. The timeframe for ribbon cutting is still scheduled for late June 2024. It is on schedule and hope to have residents occupying the housing by July 2024. Debra Lewis thanked everyone for a great veterans day parade, noted some issues that came up. Maurice welcomed Deb to meet with P&R to assist in planning for next year's parade. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for February 28, 2024, at 10:00 am. Debra motioned to adjourn. Tom seconded. Seven ayes. None opposed. The meeting was adjourned at 10:46 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Brittany Iyo Secretary ,01^d 'F � Mitchell D. Roth %, Maurice C. Messina Mq yo "( Director a 1Niclacllc M alia Hir aiishi + � �� 1rtrt�ly Director countp of DEPAR'Z°ME +T Ili' ARKS AND RECREA,riOf N 1011 Pauaahi Street„Suite 6• Hilo, Ha waaN 967211 (808)961-8311 Fax( 08) 1--8111 Ern aiE parks IN"ad Lint 1attwJ�� rw.� �wr�iiicaaaaae. . ra�la�aa'Ike-�aa�a -r�rrctia:aaa,✓ A November 16, 2023 Bradley Kiihara Department of Parks and Recreation Parks Maintenance division 35 Railroad Ave Hilo, IHaPai`li g " a Dear Bradley, I wanted to convey my deep appreciation for the remarkable contributions you've made to the lHawai"i County Parks and Recreation, department, particularly in your recent endeavors to, pay tribute to our veterans. Your initiative and dedication in painting the tank at kamehameha Park in honor of our veterans did not go unnoticed. For many years, we received numerous requests to have the tank painted, and you made it a reality just in time for Veterans Clay 2023, The response from our veterans has been overwhelming, with many expressing their gratitude for this long-awaited tribute. While they have conveyed their thanks to me„ it is essential to acknowledge that it was your hard work and commitment that made this happen. II had the privilege of witnessing your work firsthand the day before "";veterans day, and I must say„ it left me feeling proud and deeply honored. Your attention to detailill and unwavering dedication left a lasting impression on me„ not only as the director of this department but also as a veteran myself, Additionally„ I would like to commend you: for the outstanding work you did in revitalizing the Hilo ,armory. Your efforts in removing graffiti) and painting the parking stall lines have had an immediate and positive impact, benefiting both MIorty Carter's team and the facility's visitors, Your dedication to maintaining) our facilities at the highest standards has not gone unnoticed. Bradley, you have proven to be an invaluable asset to our department„ and I am genuinely thankful to have you as a member of our team. Your commitment to excellence, attention to detail„ and willingness to go above and beyond are qualities that we greatly appreciate and admire. Since y, urice Mi Bina erector .w.. C Personnel He Parks Mi ineenan e Manager County of Hawaa"l is an Equal a pportwinity Provider and Employer,