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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-15 Veteran Advisory Committee MinutesVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, January 15, 2004 County Council Room 3:00 p.m. Present Members Denny Austen Penny Fox Roy Hinokawa Louis Kaoiwi Wendall Kekumu George Mukai Patrick Pavao Hideo Segawa Dale Wilson Ex- Officio Patricia G. Engelhard, Director, P &R Also Present Nathalie Santos, Department of Parks and Recreation Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Peter Callahan Absent Keith Burley Paul Johnston Morris Kihara Charles Mayes Gilbert Sampaia George Yamamoto (fall to Order Chairman Louis Kaoiwi called the informal discussion to order at 3:10 p.m. No quorum at the start of the meeting. "Official meeting called to order at 3:30 pm upon the arrival of Member George Mukai. Peter Callahan attended the meeting via video conferencing from the Kona Mayor's Office. PRESENTATION Mayor Kim presented a Certificate of Appreciation to outgoing member Hideo Segawa for the many years of serving on the Hawaii County Veterans Advisory Committee. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 2 January 15, 2004 ANNOUNCEMENTS 2003 Office of Information Practices Training Director Engelhard announced that there are videotapes available of the December e training session on public records law and Sunshine Law put on by the State Office of Information Practices. Please let Nathalie know if anyone is interested in borrowing these tapes from Corporation Counsel. Wendell Kekumu said that he attended the training session and shared that the most important thing he learned is that even if there is a quorum, if the video conference system does not work and the meeting has been advertised as such, the meeting cannot be held. Membership Director Engelhard stated that both Richard Highley's and Peter Callahan's appointments to the Hawaii County Veterans Advisory Committee are scheduled for review on the Council's Parks and Environmental Management Committee Meeting on January 22, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. If approved, their recommendations will then be sent to full Council in approximately two weeks. Director Engelhard informed Mr. Segawa that he can represent his organization on the committee until March if a replacement has not yet been appointed. Chairman Kaoiwi said that Charles Mayes has moved to Oahu. He represents the HIVM, Inc. and a replacement needs to be appointed. Director Engelhard will handle vacancy. Veterans Cemetery II — Lighting Update The requested light has been installed on the pole by the entrance gate. Veterans Cemetery II, Phase II Expansion Proiect Chairman Kaoiwi announced that the contractor has begun clearing for the expansion of Veterans Cemetery II. He said that Delbert Nishimoto was in Kona and unable to make today's meeting, however, he suggested that committee members meet at Cemetery 11 in February prior to convening at the Councilroom to look at the project. Chairman Kaoiwi shared a concern that residents bordering the cemetery have requested that the contractor keep some of the trees in tact. Because of possible root problems going into cemetery, he recommends all of the trees be removed. Director Engelhard shared that she received two requests to save trees, one was an avacado tree. Both of those trees are within the 40 foot setback and would not affect burials. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 3 January 15, 2004 Director Engelhard also said that one neighbor is requesting that the wall be higher so that she doesn't have to look at burials. Unsure how that issue may be addressed. Planting foliage may be a possibility. Civil Air Patrol Cadets — Honor Guard — Available for Funerals and Meetings Penny Fox announced that the Civil Air Patrol Cadets have put together an Honor Guard and would be happy to assist at Veterans burials. There are a few cadets available during the day and even more on weekends. They would be unable to fire weapons, however, they could present the colors, drape the casket and present the flag to the family. They would also appreciate opportunities to practice in front of people as they prepare for a Statewide competition in April. Cadets could also be at Veterans Organization meetings to present and retire the colors. Anyone interested should contact Penny Fox, her phone number is on the membership roster. Patrick Pavao recommended that a Civil Air Patrol representative contact the Mortuaries and inform them of their availability to perform at funerals. Official Meeting Called to Order * * 3:30 pm STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC No public statements made. Previous Meeting Minutes — November 20, 2003 • The Minutes for the November 20, 2003 meeting were approved as circulated. STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD — REPORT Mr. Delbert Nishimoto, Big Island representative on the State Veterans Advisory Board was in Kona and unable to attend the meeting. Veterans Cemetery III — West Hawaii — Funding for Improvements Peter Callahan reported from Kona that there was a meeting at the Kona VA Office recently and Napua Springer will be writing a letter requesting the status of improvements to Cemetery IH. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Veterans Cemetery I — Expansion of Flagpole Area George Mukai did not receive a material list and had no report. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 4 January 15, 2004 NEW BUSINESS 2004 Meeting Schedule — Hawai`i County Veterans Advisory Committee The February 26th, September 23rd and October 14th meetings were scheduled according to room availability and do not fall on the third Thursday of the month. The committee voted unanimously to cancel the December meeting since it is a very busy time for everyone and has been cancelled every year in November. Elections for 2004 CHAIRMAN KAOIWI AND VICE CHAIRMAN EDMUND "DENNY" AUSTEN WERE REELECTED Director Engelhard opened the nominations for election of a Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Veterans Advisory Committee. George Mukai moved to have the present Chairman and Vice Chairman continue to serve in the upcoming year. All members present voted in favor of that motion. Chairman Louis Kaoiwi and Vice Chairman Denny Austen will continue as heads of the Hawaii County Veterans Advisory Committee. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on February 26, 2004. Committee members will first meet at the pavilion at Veterans Cemetery II at 2:00 pm and then convene at 3:00 p.m. in the Hawaii County Councilroom. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nathv'ue"Savi,tos- Secretary