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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-06-17 Veteran Advisory Committee MinutesVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, June 17, 2004 County Council Room and Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) 3:00 p.m. Present Members Denny Austen Richard Highley Paul Johnston Louis Kaoiwi George Mukai Patrick Pavao Hideo Segawa Dale Wilson Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Members Peter Callahan Guests (Kona) Himeo (Boss) Hanato Minoru Hanato Herb Lum Alfredo Tobias Ex- Officio (Hilo) Patricia G. Engelhard, Director, P &R Also Present (Hilo) Nathalie Santos, Department of Parks and Recreation Keith Ribbentrop Delbert Nishimoto Absent Penny Fox Roy Hinokawa Wendall Kekumu Morris Kihara Charles Mayes Gilbert Sampaia George Yamamoto Call to Order • No quorum at opening of meeting, Chairman Kaoiwi called the informal meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 2 June 17, 2004 STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Boss Hanato said that the Improvement project has not yet begun, however, he complimented maintenance crew of Veterans Cemetery III — West Hawaii , stating that cemetery looks really nice and they appreciate employees assistance to level the area for Memorial Day Ceremony. Previous Meeting Minutes — May 20, 2004 • The Minutes of the May 20, 2004 meeting were not yet approved because there was no quorum. Following a short review, members did not have any corrections to minutes as circulated. STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD — REPORT Mr. Delbert Nishimoto, Big Island representative on the State Veterans Advisory Board reported: Veterans Cemetery III — West Hawaii (Meeting) Major Mitsuyoshi will be conducting a meeting in Kona on June 23rd at 12:30 pm at the Kona Mayor's Office. Included will be a representative from M &E Pacific, Inc. Engineering firm tasked with master planning for West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery III and the new OVS Director will also attend. They will be discussing the new downsized updated master plan and concrete graveliners. Chairman Kaoiwi shared his concern about the delay caused by new master plan and would like to see funds spent on construction instead of planning. Graveliners for Veterans Cemetery III — West Hawaii Major Mitsuyoshi is in the process of securing metal forms and contract a concrete supplier to make graveliners for West Hawaii Cemetery. On the Mainland these liners are transported via train or freight truck. Mr. Ribbentrop suggested that Hualalai Cemetery in Kona may have forms, Mr. Highley will contact cemetery. Veterans Cemetery II Expansion project is 75% Complete. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Veterans Cemetery I — Expansion of Flagpole Area George Mukai — Same Report - No List Available. Item will be removed from the Agenda and added on to New Business when project is ready. Mr. Mukai stated that the project is proposed by Sons and Daughter of the AJA and not the 442nd organization. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 3 June 17, 2004 Veterans Cemetery II — Expansion Proiect Director Engelhard reported that the trees are still there and it is a contract item. Mr. Pavao asked about the gate location. Director Engelhard responded that there is no tentative location and the request for installation of the gate is on the list along with other parks. Location has to have an area for vehicles to turn around safely when they discover that the gate is closed. Veterans Cemetery III — West Hawaii Landscape Improvements Mr. Highley submitted a Progress Report dated June 17th on Re- grassing Project. He made one correction on paragraph 2 — which should be June 16, 2004. Global Positioning crew couldn't get a signal so it will be rescheduled to another day. Work to kill grass will begin following the 4th of July holiday. Memorial Day Ceremony at Veterans Cemetery III - West Hawaii Mr. Highley thanked Director Engelhard for getting the portable restroom for Memorial Day Ceremony and said that three tents belonging to Minoru Hanato were lost that day, poles were bent. Tents were not used during the ceremony. Flag Donation Mr. and Mrs. Joe Pretsch are very interested in donating flags to the West Hawaii Cemetery and have submitted a Friends of the Park form to Director Engelhard via Mr. Highley. Upon approval of the P &R Director, the Pretsch's would like to place an 8X12 flag at every gravesite for permanent display right next to the headstone which they claim should not interfere with maintenance. They would also like to donate a POW/MIA flag to be flown beneath the American flag. They will also replace flags as needed. NEW BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENTS Memorial Day Ceremonies Veterans Cemetery I Vice Chairman Austen stated that the Ceremony held at Veterans Cemetery I was beautiful. Veterans Cemetery III — West Hawaii Mr. Delbert Nishimoto said that the program in Kona was done really well also. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 4 June 17, 2004 Veterans Cemetery Rules Chairman Kaoiwi confirmed that the same rules not allowing plastic flowers on cemetery plots are the same for all veterans cemeteries and suggested rules be posted on portable building at West Hawaii Cemetery. Mr. Pavao also said that mortuaries should distribute a copy of the rules to the families so that they are aware of what the rules are. VA State Home Construction — Long Term Care Mr. Ribbentrop announced that Mr. Ron Schurra informed him that on September first there will be the Building Demolition of the Old Hilo Hospital /Groundbreaking for VA Home. Veterans Organizations should be receiving invitations. KMC — Father's Day Buffet Chairman Kaoiwi read an invitation from KMC inviting veterans and their families to participate in a Father's Day Buffet on Sunday, June 20th from 3pm to 7pm in the KMC cafe. HONORING PAST VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER There was a Moment of Silence to honor Mr. Jack Kondo who recently passed away. Mr. Kondo served as a member of the Hawaii County Veterans Advisory Committee for many years. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on July 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 3:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nathalie Santos Secretary