HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-11-20 Veteran Advisory Committee MinutesPresent
Absent
VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday, November 20, 2003
County Council Room
3:00 p.m.
Members
Denny Austen
Penny Fox
Roy Hinokawa
Paul Johnston
Louis Kaoiwi
Wendall Kekumu
Morris Kihara
George Mukai
Patrick Pavao
Gilbert Sampaia
Hideo Segawa
Dale Wilson
Ex- Officio
Patricia G. Engelhard, Director, P &R
Also Present
Nathalie Santos, Department of Parks and Recreation
Delbert Nishimoto
Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing)
Peter Callahan
Ted Funk
Himeo (Boss) Hanato
Minoru Hanato
Richard Highley
Napua Wells
Joe Yoshishige
Keith Burley
Charles Mayes
George Yamamoto
Call to Order
• Chairman Louis Kaoiwi called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m.
• Seven people (See above list) attended the meeting via video conferencing from the
Kona Mayor's Office.
Veterans Advisory Committee
Page 2
November 20, 2003
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
No public statements made.
Previous Meeting Minutes — September 18, 2003
• The Minutes for the October 16, 2003 meeting were approved with one correction
made by Vice Chairman Denny Austen. On Page 5, Under Announcements:
Veterans Day Ceremonies; North Kohala — Barbara Austen was not the guest speaker,
she introduced guest speaker — Dr. Jamal Wasan, Retired Colonel.
STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD — REPORT
Mr. Delbert Nishimoto, Big Island representative on the State Veterans Advisory Board
reported the following:
Veterans Cemetery II, Phase II Expansion Proiect
Date of Notice to proceed on project is November 17, 2003 with 180 working days
allotted. The General contractor is GW Construction and the Project Coordinator and
Manager is M & E Pacific.
Veterans Cemetery III, West Hawaii
Attempted to schedule a meeting with West Hawaii Veterans, OVS Director,
Department of Defense Hawaii Engineer Major Neal Mitsuyoshi and a P &R
representative. However, that meeting will be at a later time. Currently OVS has met
with M & E Pacific and they are in the process of redesigning master plan in accordance
with VA guidance on approved scope of work. The total construction cost at this stage
cannot exceed 1 million dollars. The project will be phased within a period of two years,
whereby, $100,000 per phase will be allocated. When it is returned to OVS and DOD,
they will seek input for prioritization of project phases from Big Island Veterans and
most especially the West Hawaii representatives and P &R.
Richard Highly asked if the $1 million funding for West Hawaii Cemetery is not spent in
the next two years, would it remain towards the cemetery or will it be lost.
Chairman Kaoiwi responded that funds would lapse and be lost. He recommended that
West Hawaii veterans communicate with OVS.
Richard Highly said they will write a letter requesting an expected date of completion for
revisions.
Patrick Pavao asked Mr. Nishimoto to request a timeline from OVS to be presented at the
next meeting.
Office of Veterans Services (OVS)
OVS Director General Cockett may be ending his term in December.
Veterans Advisory Committee
Page 3
November 20, 2003
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Veterans Cemetery I — Expansion of Flagpole Area
George Mukai did not receive a material list and had no report.
Veterans Cemetery II — Lighting Update
Chairman Kaoiwi shared his concern about P &R's recommendation against solar lighting
and suggested checking with M &E. Director Engelhard said that P &R will check with
M &E on solar lighting.
Veterans Cemetery IH, West Hawaii (Mulch)
Boss Hanato reported that they obtained (3) loads of mulch which was spread out, but not
yet completed. He checked mulch following the high winds yesterday and everything
was all in tact and looking good.
NEW BUSINESS
Vietnam Memorial — Parking Sign Placards
Gilbert Sampaia said that the parking stall signs are missing from the Vietnam Memorial
Parking area. The signs used stated something like "Parking for Visitors to Vietnam
Memorial ". The posts are still up, but the signs are illegible. It looks bad, either signs
could be replaced or removed.
Director Engelhard will inform State Parks District Superintendent Glenn Taguchi.
Membership
Patrick Pavao requested an updated membership roster be provided at the January
meeting.
Elections for 2004
Chairman Kaoiwi requested that Elections be put on January's agenda for a new
Chairman and Vice Chairman.
Training — The Sunshine Law: A Guide To Board & Commission Members and
Agency Employees
In November, a Memorandum from Corporation Counsel dated October 27, 2003 were
mailed to members informing them of a rescheduled training session with the Office of
Information Practices on December 4, 2003 from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm at the
Councilroom. Interested members should inform Nathalie of their intent to attend.
Wendall Kekumu and Penny Fox are scheduled to attend.
Veterans Advisory Committee
Page 4
November 20, 2003
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on January 15, 2004 at 3:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
N athaUev S avi,tos-
Secretary