The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES for 2024-02-28 FINAL VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 10:00 a.m. Zoom Video Conferencing and Kona Mayor's Office(Via Videoconferencing) Present Members Michael Doolittle Isaac Nahakuelua George Sheridan Marcia Brinkley (joined after the meeting was called to order) Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Members Minoru Hanato Tom Wojszynski Antonio Gaspar Guests None Ex-Officio (Hilo) Michelle Hiraishi, Deputy Director P&R Also Present(Hilo) J Yoshimoto, Deputy Corporation Counsel Brittany Iyo, Secretary Absent John Hiduchick-Nakayama Debra Lewis Call to Order Chair Michael Doolittle called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. Quorum met with six members present. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC There were none. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Chair Doolittle introduced the minutes from the last meeting of November 29, 2023. Minoru Hanato made a motion to accept the minutes as is. Tom Wojszynski seconded the motion. Six ayes. Minutes accepted. *Marcia Brinkley joined the meeting at 10:03 a.m. OLD BUSINESS The Wall that Heals —Committee Overview Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 28,2024 Page 2 Chair Doolittle began by again thanking the Mayor, Maurice and Michelle for supporting the committee and committing funding to bringing The Wall to Hilo. Tom Wojszynski created a presentation of the entire event. The presentation is included in the minutes. Tom also noted that there was a smaller display in the County Aupuni Center that will continue to be on display for a period of time. Tom explained that he was willing to create a website for the Veterans Advisory Committee that would include things like information on The Wall That Heals and the information on his presentation. Tom made a motion to create a webpage for the Veterans Advisory Committee. Minoru seconded the motion. Seven ayes. Motion carried. Discussion: Michelle Hiraishi reminded the group that Thatcher Moats is P&R's new Information and Education Specialist and that he is already working on updating and improving the P&R website. Michelle suggested Tom work with Thatcher to link the webpage to P&R's existing website. Tom also mentioned that the webpage can provide grave coordinate information for people to look up online and then be able to find their family's grave. Signs at the cemetery can also direct the public to the webpage. Cemetery Updates and Improvements: West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Open Hours Chair Doolittle introduced the topic and asked for discussion. Michelle explained that she hasn't heard any updates about this but she will check in with P&R Director Messina and inform everyone. Exploration of Camp Tawara Exhibit at Kona Airport Tom updated the group that he spoke to Jane Clement of the Mayor's office and she is checking on the possibility of the County building the display. There is an estimated cost of$5,000. Chair Doolittle offered a personal donation, and fundraising could provide for the needed funds. NEW BUSINESS Demonstration of Veter3ans Cemetery#1 digital map and plans to expand other Veterans Cemetries Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 28,2024 Page 3 Chair Doolittle introduced the topic and asked for discussion. Tom requested this topic so P&R could show everyone the webpage of the digital map of Veterans Cemetery I done by students at Hawaii Community College. Unfortunately, there was some miscommunication and P&R was not prepared for this display. The group decided to defer this topic to the meeting. Later on in the meeting J Yoshimoto was able to pull up the webpage of the map and shared his screen with everyone. Below is the link to the webpage. https:HhiIo.hawaii.edu/depts/ eat„raphy/cemetery/east-hawaii-veterans-cemetery-l- map.php West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery WWII Memorial—Update Tom requested an update on the execution of a right-of-entry for the contractor to start work on the memorial. Brittany reported they are working on it and will try to expedite at the request of the committee. REPORT ON CEMETERIES Hawaii Island—East Hawaii Representative—Kelcie Figueira —OVS Kelcie Figueira has no updates at this time. They have not obtained a new OVS Director. But she can send out reports to the committee as they come up. Cemetery Audit Update Michelle reported that the staff is working on fixes of the audit. P&R has three dedicated staff for the two East Hawaii Veterans Cemeteries and one dedicated staff for the West Hawaii cemetery. We are hoping to see improvements at all cemeteries. ANNOUNCEMENTS Minoru announced that many of the column and row markers in-ground have been damaged. He is asking the County to fix these issues so the public will have an easier time finding their loved ones' graves. Antonio announced March is community service month. Post 420 will be adopting a highway on March 16, they will be picking up rubbish from 6:00 am —8:00 am, if anyone wants to join. Post 43 did their community service and cleaned up the Vietnam Memorial and Korean War monuments near Wailoa State Park. Also, from February 1 —April 15, a few members will be providing free income tax preparations for low income, middle income and senior citizens. They will be at Hale Halawai on Thursday from 8:00 am— 12:00 pm; Yano Hall on Wednesdays from 8:00 am — 12:00 pm; Waimea on Fridays all day. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes February 28,2024 Page 4 NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for May 22, 2024, at 10:00 am. George Sheridan motioned to adjourn. Vice-Chair Marcia Brinkley seconded. Seven ayes. None opposed. The meeting was adjourned at 10:48 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Brittany Iyo Secretary