HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-07-15 Veteran Advisory Committee MinutesVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday, July 15, 2004
County Council Room and Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing)
3:00 p.m.
Present
Members
Denny Austen
Richard Highley
Roy Hinokawa
Louis Kaoiwi
Wendall Kekumu
Morris Kihara
Gilbert Sampaia
Hideo Segawa
Dale Wilson
George Yamamoto
Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencin2)
Members
Peter Callahan
Guests (Kona)
Himeo (Boss) Hanato
Minoru Hanato
Ted Funk
Herb Lum
Ex- Officio (Hilo)
Patricia G. Engelhard, Director, P &R
Also Present (Hilo)
Nathalie Santos, Department of Parks and Recreation
Delbert Nishimoto
Absent Penny Fox
Paul Johnston
Charles Mayes
George Mukai
Patrick Pavao
Call to Order
• Chairman Kaoiwi called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
No Statements made from the public.
Veterans Advisory Committee
Page 2
July 15, 2004
Previous Meeting Minutes — May 20, 2004 and June 17, 2004
• The Minutes of both the May 20, 2004 and the June 17, 2004 meetings were
approved as circulated.
STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD — REPORT
Mr. Delbert Nishimoto, Big Island representative on the State Veterans Advisory Board
had just returned from a workshop and had nothing to report. He requested permission to
bring new OVS Director Mr. Ed Cruickshank to the August 19th meeting to meet
members and talk about projection of cemeteries. He also said that there are two newly
appointed State Veterans Advisory Board members: Admiral Ace who worked on the
Kaho`olawe Project and Lloyd Sodetani of Maui.
Mr. Nishimoto also commended Mr. Highley for the report he provided on the progress
of the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery III landscaping improvement project. He also
said that cemetery is looking really nice.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
VETERANS CEMETERY II
Director Engelhard reported that project is nearing completion. She received a call today
from Major Mitsuyoshi requesting exact wording for signage. In the County Code
(which is county law) the cemetery is referred to as Veterans Cemetery No. 2.
Mr. Nishimoto said that a representative of M &E said that palm trees is part of the
contract and will be removed.
VETERANS CEMETERY III — West Hawaii
Mr. Highley distributed copies of a Report on the Progress of West Hawaii Veterans
Cemetery III — Landscaping Improvement Project.
Graveliners
Mr. Nishimoto reported that Homelani Cemetery owns the Graveliner Form and Glover
is the only one that makes it. DOD is still researching possibilities for obtaining
graveliners for Veterans Cemetery III.
Canopy
Mr. Highley recommended that a new replacement canopy be purchased for Veterans
Cemetery III.
Director Engelhard said that a new canopy has been purchased, but is backordered
because the company can't make them fast enough. Mr. Highley suggested that the new
canopy be weighted down when not in use.
Veterans Advisory Committee
Page 3
July 15, 2004
Temporary Shelter
(See Mr. Highley's report - Progress of West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery III
Landscaping Improvements Dated July 15, 2004 — Paragraph 2) He reported that
someone offered to construct a temporary shelter until funding becomes available to
construct the permanent chapel and wanted to let them know process.
Director Engelhard said P &R would be happy to consider it. She will e -mail Less Chess
to request information.
NEW BUSINESS
VETERANS DAY PARADE
Chairman Kaoiwi reported that Mayor Kim referred Big Island Veterans Association's
request to have a Veterans Day Parade in Hawaii County to this Committee. The
Mayor's response to Dale Wilson stated that members may be able to advise or assist on
how to best organize such a Veterans Day Parade. He also stated that the County does
not sponsor parades, all parades in the county are organized and sponsored by private
organizations.
Mr. Wilson said that the request was not to have the County sponsor the parade, but
rather endorse having a Veterans Day Parade and provide Police, emergency systems and
liability insurance. BIVA would plan and handle the conduct of the parade and its
participants.
Director Engelhard said that the County of Hawaii is self- insured and not insurable.
Chairman Kaoiwi shared his concern that the budget has already been prepared for this
year, however, it may be possible for next year.
Mr. Wilson agreed that it may be too late for this year, but will look at planning a parade
for next year. He asked Director Engelhard for direction on how to pursue police and
EMS assistance to have a parade next year.
Director Engelhard said that she could put costs for police and EMS services in P &R
budget. The advantage would be that if P &R is rejected, BIVA could still make request
to County Council.
Director Engelhard responded to Mr. Wilson's question about necessity to have liability
insurance by stating that it depends on parade participation such as if there will be
animals, pa`u riders (people get kicked or fall off), or floats (people can fall off).
Veterans Advisory Committee
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July 15, 2004
Mr. Sampaia recommended that BIVA contact members of the Japanese Chamber of
Commerce Lantern Parade Committee for their suggestions on how to organize a parade
and obtain liability insurance.
Chairman Kaoiwi recommended that members of the Big Island Veterans Association
look into fees and details of sponsoring a parade.
Director Engelhard said that the budget process begins in October.
Mr. Wilson will look into details of organizing a parade.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on August 19, 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 3:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nathalie Santos
Secretary