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Home My WebLink About2004-03-18 Veteran Advisory Committee MinutesVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, March 18, 2004 County Council Room and Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) 3:00 p.m. Present Members Denny Austen Richard Highley Roy Hinokawa Paul Johnston Louis Kaoiwi Wendall Kekumu Morris Kihara Gilbert Sampaia Hideo Segawa Dale Wilson Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Members Peter Callahan Guests (Kona) Himeo (Boss) Hanato Minoru Honato Alfredo Tobias Ex- Officio (Hilo) Patricia G. Engelhard, Director, P &R Also Present (Hilo) Nathalie Santos, Department of Parks and Recreation Craig Masuda, Deputy Corporation Counsel Delbert Nishimoto Keith Ribbentrop Absent Penny Fox Charles Mayes George Mukai Patrick Pavao George Yamamoto Call to Order • Chairman Louis Kaoiwi called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m. (11 members present — 10 in Hilo and 1 in Kona.) STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC No public statements made. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 2 March 18, 2004 Previous Meeting Minutes — February 26, 2004 • The Minutes for the February 26, 2004 meeting were approved as circulated. STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD — REPORT Mr. Delbert Nishimoto, Big Island representative on the State Veterans Advisory Board. Veterans Cemetery III — West Hawaii See attached report which was distributed at meeting relating to West Hawaii Cemetery. (See Also Veterans Cemetery III Information below — Mr. Nishimoto reported on priorities and funding* *) Maintenance Lots of sleeping grass at cemetery, maintenance is being done by using weedeaters which spreads sleeping grass. Hopefully Les Chess' organization will make a lot of landscape improvements and eliminate that problem. Combination Lock Mr. Nishimoto again requested that improvements be made to the lock at the cemetery gate. Gravel i n ers Plans are to excavate the entire south side, lay it by specs, backfill, put on cover and leave 18" of soil cover. Could also look at the possibility of moving remains from the north side to the south side after that area is completed and nicely landscaped and just maintain the north side. Veterans Cemetery II Mr. Nishimoto reported that Veterans Cemetery II — Phase II is 20% complete, contractors are currently working on roadway. The three trees that the Committee had concerns about were removed. The next phase will include the rockwall and extension of the committal service chapel. The signage was also approved. Seven (7) palm trees on the north side of the cemetery will be relocated along the Boys Club side of Laimana Street. Entry gate will be discussed at a later phase. Funding seems to be okay so far. Chairman Kaoiwi said that there may be a problem with relocating the large palm trees, they may instead plant smaller trees. He informed contractor to contact Major Mitsuyoshi. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 3 March 18, 2004 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Veterans Cemetery I — Expansion of Flagpole Area George Mukai absent — No Report. Veterans Cemetery III — West Hawaii Priorities (Graveliners and Committal Chapel/Pavilion) Peter Callahan reported that the number one priority for the cemetery was not graveliners as stated in February's minutes. Following last month's Veterans Advisory Committee meeting, the group overwhelming decided that the committal chapel /pavilion should be started somehow. Director Engelhard shared that safety concerns make the graveliners a priority, because while employees are digging graves the next grave erodes. She also shared her concern relating to shelter. Funds could be wasted if the slab and stub -outs are done first and then later trying to fit the roof, which if is not perfectly fit, may require removal of slab. Peter responded that Major Mitsuyoshi would be providing information on funding and possible phases of the building, the slab may not be the first phase. Regarding the liners the north side is approximately 2/3 filled and the occupied graves should not be disturbed. He suggests completing the (first) north side in the same way and if graveliners are going to be used, it could be started on the south side. Mr. Highley concurs with leaving the old side as is and starting with the new side. "Mr. Nishimoto reported that during the meeting held with representatives of Kona Veterans organizations and Department of Defense Acting Interim Director Carswell Ross and Engineer Major Neal Mitsuyoshi held in Kona on February 26th, the number one priority requested by Kona veterans was a committal shelter followed by concrete graveliners. However, DOD representatives strongly recommend graveliners beginning on the south side and $100,000 is available for liners from the Federal Government. West Hawaii veterans testified at the legislature in support of $600,000 which could be used for the shelter, septic system and water. HB 1800 moved from House to Senate and it seems like it will be a go, but funds are under West Hawaii Cemetery maintenance fund and not specifically designated for committal shelter construction. Landscaping Improvements Veterans and volunteers will be preparing cemetery for Golf Course Superintendent's Association upcoming Community Service Project. Volunteers will be packing and marking vases and plastic flowers to be stored in the storage shed at the cemetery at 10 am on March 19, 2004. Notice will be published tomorrow (March 19th) in West Hawaii Today to inform families of what is being done and request for volunteer help. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 4 March 18, 2004 Copies of Rule 7 -Rules Relating to Veterans Cemeteries will be distributed to Kona members for information relating to items allowed at cemetery and family responsibilities. Les Chess, President of the Golf Course Superintendent's Association Community Service Proiect at Veterans Cemetery III-West Hawaii Mr. Highley reported that volunteers would like cemetery prepared leaving only the gravestones in order for them to spray poison and kill existing grass and weeds, level area and begin planting new grass (seashore paspalum). This type of grass is easy to maintain and is planted at the Kukio Golf Course. Mr. Chess will also have the irrigation system repaired by the initial installer and received permission from Director Engelhard to tap into line and add a meter. He will ask developer to provide more than 3,600 gallons for start up purposes. Hoping that cemetery will be ready for Memorial Day. Director Engelhard had not yet received the request in writing. Peter Callahan reported that he spoke to Les Chess and letter will be faxed tomorrow. Canopy Mr. Hanato reported that the temporary canopy used during burials at the cemetery was destroyed during recent high winds. Director Engelhard said they are looking for funding to replace canopy. She said that it is almost the end of this fiscal year. If it cannot be done this year, it will be done in the beginning of the new fiscal year which begins July 2004. NEW BUSINESS No New Business. MEMBERSHIP Chairman Kaoiwi asked about the status of vacancies on the committee. Director Engelhard responded that we have not received a response from NG Retirees — Mr. Segawa's organization. He can remain on board until a replacement is confirmed. ANNOUNCEMENTS JROTC Program Mr. Callahan reported for informational puposes only that the high school JROTC programs are hoping to institute a competition amongst high schools on the island and eventually statewide. Cleaning Headstones at Veterans Cemetery I Paul Johnston reported that the Korean War Veterans will be cleaning the headstones at Veterans Cemetery I on March 19th (tomorrow) at 8 am. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 5 March 18, 2004 EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on April 15, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. in the Hawaii County Councilroom and video - conferencing at the Kona Mayor's Office. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, N athv U� S avi,to-S- Secretary