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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-06-16 Veteran Advisory Committee MinutesVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, June 16, 2005 County Council Room and Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) 3:00 p.m. Present Absent Members Denny Austen Richard Highley Roy Hinokawa Wendall Kekumu Morris Kihara Patrick Pavao Hideo Segawa George Yamamoto Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencin2) Members None Guests (Kona) Ted Funk Manuel Delo Santos Boss Hanato Minoru Hanato Herb Lum Dr. Richard Stevens Ex- Officio (Hilo) Patricia Engelhard, Director, P &R Also Present (Hilo) Delbert Nishimoto Nathalie Santos, Secretary Penny Fox Paul Johnston Louis Kaoiwi George Mukai Gilbert Sampaia Call to Order • There was no quorum. Vice Chairman Denny Austen called the Informal meeting to order at 3:10 p.m, STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC None. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 2 June 16, 2005 Previous Meeting Minutes — May 19, 2005 • Approval of the minutes will need to be voted on at the next meeting. STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD — REPORT (See Announcements — Mr. Nishimoto will no longer be at meetings — his term has ended) Delbert Nishimoto, Big Island representative on the State Veterans Advisory Board reported the following: Veterans Cemetery III — Temporary Columbarium Mr. Nishimoto said that Mr. Roy Kaneshiro's contract has ended as an Engineer of DOD, he was the person keeping him informed on the status of Veterans Cemeteries Projects. Mr. Nishimoto recommended that members be unified and keep an eye out for Coppenhagen's arrival. Steve Morifuji is the P &R liaison the company will be in touch with. Currently there is only one engineer working at DOD and he's been working on the State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe. That is why it's important to keep in touch with DOD Engineering Division on big island projects. Veterans Cemetery II Artificial Flowers and Lights Vice Chairman Austen reported that he visited Veterans Cemetery II and there were several artificial plants sticking in the ground. He recommended that lights be installed at the end of the culdesac because of the kids hanging out, the broken beer bottles and tire marks. Flag Day — Downtown Hilo Post Office — WWI Veterans Monument Vice Chairman Austen informed members that at the Downtown Hilo Post Office at the WWI Veterans Monument near the (11) Palm Trees, there is a slot to insert burial flags. Veterans Cemeteries — Rules Relating to Flowers Artificial Flowers and Vases Richard Highley said that he understands why families bring artificial flowers. They can't use vases so the next day fresh flowers are no longer good. He suggests purchasing the vases that can be turned over (somehow purchase for graves that are already there and then require families of future burials to provide their own working with the mortuaries). Director Engelhard said that we would need to change the rules and set up a public hearing if the committee wishes to allow artificial flowers. Patrick Pavao said that rules were established to simplify maintenance and to keep cemeteries looking nice. Families would also put pinwheels and other items which would deter from the beauty. Cemeteries have increased in space and require more Veterans Advisory Committee Page 3 June 16, 2005 maintenance. There use to be just one cemetery, but now there is Cemetery I — 3 acres, Cemetery II — 14 acres and Cemetery III — 2 acres. Cemetery space has grown and demands on P &R staff has grown. He also recognized the veterans in West Hawaii for the great work they have done to improve and upgrade cemetery. Director Engelhard said that copies of the cemetery rules are given to families, the mortuaries have them and copies are posted throughout the cemeteries. She also said that we need to set parameters to honor our veterans and make the cemetery look like Arlington. Richard Highley asked if artificial flowers could be disposed of just as fresh flowers. Director Engelhard said she doesn't like artificial flowers. Vice Chairman Austen said that one of the signs was rusted and could not be clearly read. He suggested that we clean it or make it clearer. Richard Highley said that if they can't bring artificial flowers then there should be some place that the fresh flowers could be put on graves. Patrick Pavao said that when these rules were established, the cost factors were discussed and the committee decided to make those vases and concrete vaults optional and the responsibility of the families. Things change and rules could be revised if that is the desire of the committee. Director Engelhard reported that the County annually receives $22,500 from the State and it costs over $100,000 to maintain all three cemeteries. Patrick Pavao said an option would be to have an organization provide a service by purchasing vases and make it available to families for purchase. He also said that there were attempts to get more funding through the legislature, but that never happened. When Cemetery III first opened up, $38,000 was to be set up for maintenance of that cemetery, however, the state erred by letting the funds lapse. Minoru Hanato suggested to install uniform vases that are the same on each grave, are level with the ground and dispose of all flowers (fresh or plastic). Delbert Nishimoto said at Punchbowl they remove flowers every third day. He also said if we keep changing rules and there is no enforcement, it has no value. He recommends reminding fellow veterans that there are rules. Communication is the key. Richard Highley received quotes on the proposed vases, prices start at approximately $18.00 for zinc and ranges up to approximately $30.75 each for bronze. The price goes down to $23.75 if you order in bulk of 72 at a time. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 4 June 16, 2005 Director Engelhard said the Daughters of American Revolution were looking for a project and may be interested in providing this service to families. Delbert Nishimoto said that the State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe has a problem with the brass vases getting stolen by scrappers. Director Engelhard recommended sticking to zinc since there is no value. Veterans Cemetery II — Gate Patrick Pavao again emphasized the importance of installing a gate on the boundary of Veterans Cemetery II to discourage the problems of teens hanging out, drinking, prevent vandalism, etc. Director Engelhard said there is a chain gate just before the sign, but is unsure if its ever locked. UNFINISHED BUSINESS VETERANS CEMETERY III — WEST HAWAII (Reforestation Project) Dr. Stevens reported that it seems daily project is receiving more offers of help. Today received an offer for a load of topsoil. People are also offering to volunteer on the project. The disappointing news is that the funding of $75,000 Congressman Ed Case put in for fencing at reforestation project was turned down by two committees in Congress. Continuing to write grants. VETERANS CEMETERY I & II — COLUMBARIUMS SUB - COMMITTEE - REPORT No report. NEW BUSINESS None. EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS No Report. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 5 June 16, 2005 ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Delbert Nishimoto announced that this is his last meeting since his term has ended as a member of the State Veterans Advisory Board. He again congratulated the West Hawaii volunteer group for their outstanding community service. He also thanked Mr. Hanato for the many hours of hard word to prepare site for the temporary columbarium. He doesn't have the authority to inform people who will replace him, however, he will recommend that person attend the Hawaii County Veterans Advisory Committee meetings. Mr. Nishimoto also said that during the latest State Veterans Advisory Committee meeting the name of the Long Term Care Facility has been decided and should be announced shortly. Members applauded Mr. Nishimoto's dedication to the committee and veterans projects for the past few years. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on July 28, 2005 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 athaU& S avi tos- Secretary