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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES for 2024-08-28 FINAL VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Wednesday, August 28, 2024, 10:00 a.m. Zoom Video Conferencing and Kona Mayor’s Office (Via Videoconferencing) Present Members Michael Doolittle Isaac Nahakuelua George Sheridan Debra Lewis Kona Mayor’s Office (Via Videoconferencing) Members Antonio Gaspar Marcia Brinkley Tom Wojszynski Minoru Hanato Guests Birk Billingsley Ex-Officio (Hilo) Michelle Hiraishi, Deputy Director P&R Also Present (Hilo) Dakota “Cody” Frenz, Deputy Corporation Counsel Brittany Castro, Secretary Absent John Hiduchick-Nakayama Call to Order Chair Michael Doolittle called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m. Quorum met with seven members present. *George Sheridan joined the meeting at 10:08 a.m. Brittany introduced Dakota “Cody” Frenz as the new Deputy Corporation Counsel for Parks and Recreation. J Yoshimoto has moved to a different position and Cody has taken over as the legal counsel for P&R and the Veterans Advisory Committee. Cody introduced herself and gave a brief description of herself. She is excited to get to work with P&R and the Veterans Advisory Committee. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Birk Billingsley introduced himself to the committee. He has applied to become a member of the committee and wanted to sit in to preview the committee’s meetings. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Chair Doolittle introduced the minutes from the last meeting of May 22, 2024. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 28, 2024 Page 2 Minoru Hanato made a motion to accept the minutes as is. Debra Lewis seconded the motion. No discussion. Eight ayes. Minutes accepted. OLD BUSINESS Cemetery Updates and Improvements: Exploration of Camp Tarawa Exhibit at Kona Airport Tom Wojszynski reported verbal approvals have been given to get the exhibit built and installed. Camp Tawara Foundation will be providing all memorabilia for the display. Just waiting on funds to come in to pay for display. Status of Cemetery Directory Tom reported the directories continue to be updated as there are burials at the cemeteries. It is currently not linked to the County’s website, but that is something we are working on. Status of Island Wide Memorials Vice-Chair Marcia Brinkley explained that the committee has putt together a database and interactive website of all veterans’ memorials around the island. We are missing photos on two memorials. If anyone can get photos on them, please send to Tom. Once finalized it’ll be linked to the County’s website.  Pahala Elementary – Veterans Plaque at ball field  Naalehu Park – Veterans Plaque Status of Veterans Housing Project Chair Doolittle explained, Hale Na Koa ‘o Hanakahi is projected to be completed by October 2024. It will have 92 total units with 91 being rented out and one for the resident manager. NEW BUSINESS REPORT ON CEMETERIES Hawai‘i Island – East Hawai‘i Representative – Kelcie Figueira – OVS Kelcie Figueira was not present and informed everyone that John Alamodin is the new Director of the State Office of Veterans Services. They are still onboarding him and there are no updates currently. Cemetery Audit Update Michelle reported that Parks & Recreation continues to work on realigning the headstones in the cemetery which is the last item from the audit. ANNOUNCEMENTS Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes August 28, 2024 Page 3 Veterans Day Parade Debra announced the Veterans Day Parade will be on November 9, 2024, which will begin at 10:00 am in Hilo. Please help get the word out. Let Debra know where she can post flyers. Hoping to have transportation from senior centers to the parade.  Grand Marshal – Hara Family; Legacy of Service  Community Parade Marshal – The Wall That Heals Committee  Business Parade Marshal – Conen’s Freight Transport & C&F Trucking WWII Memorial Dedication Ceremony at WHVC Tom announced that the dedication ceremony for the World War II Memorial at the West Hawaiʻi Veterans Cemetery will be held on September 2, 2024, at 10:00 am. They will be providing shuttles from outside the cemetery as they expect a lot of attendees. Additionally, Tom announced The Wall That Heals Committee has leftover funds and is looking for Hawaiʻi Island veterans’ organizations and causes to donate the money to. They have already donated to the WWII Memorial Dedication, Veterans Day Parade, the Display for Camp Tawara Exhibit East Hawaiʻi Jazz & Blues Festival for Hawaiʻi Island Veterans Memorial Tom announced the Hawaiʻi Island Veterans Memorial (HIVM) will be hosting their Annual East Hawaiʻi Jazz & Blues Festival October 27 – November 1 at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. HIVM continues to raise funds to provide resources for Hawaiʻi Island veterans. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for November 20, 2024, at 10:00 am. Debra Lewis motioned to adjourn. Tom Wojszynski seconded. Eight ayes. None opposed. The meeting was adjourned at 10:48 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Brittany Castro Secretary