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Home My WebLink About2005-07-28 Veteran Advisory Committee MinutesVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, July 28, 2005 County Council Room and Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) 3:00 p.m. Present Absent Members Penny Fox Roy Hinokawa Louis Kaoiwi Morris Kihara George Mukai Patrick Pavao Gilbert Sampaia Hideo Segawa George Yamamoto Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencin2) Members None Guests (Kona) Manuel Delo Santos Boss Hanato Minoru Hanato Herb Lum Joe Pretsch Lee Pretsch Ex- Officio (Hilo) Patricia Engelhard, Director, P &R Also Present (Hilo) Diane Noda, Deputy Corporation Counsel Denny Austen Richard Highley Paul Johnston Wendall Kekumu Call to Order • Chairman Louis Kaoiwi called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m, STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Veterans Cemeteries I, II & III — Request for Funds from Mayor & County Council Louis Kaoiwi relinquished chairperson's position to Member Penny Fox in order to comment about Veterans Cemeteries I and IL Mr. Kaoiwi spoke to P &R employees at both cemeteries I and II earlier this week regarding the gate and solar light at Cemetery IL Teens constantly congregate at the culdesac at Cemetery II to drink alcohol. They Veterans Advisory Committee Page 2 July 28, 2005 then dispose beer bottles and cans on the lawn. Mr. Kaoiwi went to Mayor's Office, the Mayor wasn't available so he explained problems to the Managing Director and he acknowledged that P &R has no funds. The Managing Director requested concerns in writing, however, he first wanted a consensus of this committee. He then went to the County Council and expressed concerns to Finance Chairperson Virginia Isbell and Council Members Angel Pilago and James Arakaki. They asked for an estimate of funds needed which Mr. Kaoiwi estimated $2,000 for solar light and $3,000 for the gate. Councilman Arakaki suggested he write to the County Council to request at least $7,000 for these improvements. Temporary Chairperson Penny Fox asked members if there was any discussion. Member Patrick Pavao said that he recently visited the cemetery and saw people hanging out drinking in the culdesac. He has also received calls from people with concerns about this problem. He gave full support of request for funds from County Council and made a motion to send a letter. Motion The motion was unanimously approved to have Chairman Kaoiwi submit letters to both the Mayor and County Council to request funds for these improvements at Veterans Cemeteries I and II and a copy be submitted to Councilmember Donald Ikeda since both cemeteries fall under his jurisdiction. (* *See Below — Solar Light for Flag Pole at Cemetery III to be included in request) Veterans Cemetery III Minoru Hanato said they are also looking into a solar lighting system for the flagpole at Cemetery III. They have checked with HELCO to see if they can help and are still working on getting it. Joe and Lee Pretsch have visited several solar establishments and obtained various price estimates. They will continue to check on prices. "Director Engelhard suggested that Chairman Kaoiwi include in his letters to the Mayor and Council a request for the solar light for the flagpole at Cemetery III. Chairman Kaoiwi confirmed that he would include that request. Boss Hanato said that lawn at Cemetery III is looking really nice and would like to acknowledge P &R employees assigned to cut grass there. Director Engelhard will convey his thanks to employees. Minoru Hanato said that P &R employee Kimo shared that there are approximately 14 more gravesites available in Area L He would also like to know who to contact regarding the columbariums as soon as possible. Previous Meeting Minutes — May 19, 2005 and June 16, 2005 • The Minutes of the May 19"' and June 16th meetings were approved as submitted. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 3 July 28, 2005 STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD — REPORT Chairman Kaoiwi announced that the new island representative serving on the State Veterans Advisory Board is Herring Kalua who is working and unable to attend today's meeting. Patrick Pavao suggested that we request Mr. Kalua submit a report prior to meetings if he is unable to attend in order to keep everyone informed of the status of important state projects. Director Engelhard will request report. Veterans Cemetery III — Temporary Columbarium No Report. UNFINISHED BUSINESS VETERANS CEMETERY II — EXPANSION PROJECT Director Engelhard said there is nothing new to report, the County has still not accepted the Project and we are still waiting for completion. VETERANS CEMETERY III — WEST HAWAII (Reforestation Project) Minoru Hanato reported that Dr. Stevens and Richard Highley are both on the Mainland. He said they are currently working on fencing the entire cemetery area to keep goats out and need to get the Bulldozer Company to clear area to erect fence. Also working on obtaining exact measurements of fence in order to get estimates from Fence Company. Installed a new fence unit, which was donated by an individual to keep goats out of the area. VETERANS CEMETERY I & II — COLUMBARIUMS SUB - COMMITTEE - REPORT No report — No meeting held or scheduled yet. NEW BUSINESS None. EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS No Report. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 4 July 28, 2005 MEMBERSHIP — VACANCIES Chairman Kaoiwi asked the status of vacancies on this committee. Deputy Corporation Counsel summarized the following and asked for input /corrections if necessary: American Legion — Vacant — Peter Callahan has moved to the Mainland and resigned in March 2005. Big Island National Guard Retirees Association — Vacant — P &R to ask Commander Herbert Ishii to resubmit another application form because during the transition between Mayor's Office and Corporation Counsel taking over of handling vacancies, the form was misplaced. (Following the meeting, Nathalie discovered that Mr. Ishii is still searching for a nominee since he is now unable to serve). Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial, Inc. — Vacant — Charles Mayes moved to Oahu in June 2004 — Don Bennett has been nominated. Military Order of the Purple Heart — Vacant — Dale Wilson's term expired (Penny Fox said she was almost positive that Don Bennett was to fill the MOPH vacancy instead of HIVM, Inc.) (However, following the meeting Nathalie confirmed records indicate that Don Bennett was nominated by Commander Bob Williams of HIVM, Inc. in May 2005 after their original nominee Joe Sherrard declined to serve due to health reasons). In December 2005, the following terms will expire: Morris Kihara Club 100 Wendell Kekumu Veterans of Vietnam War Louis Kaoiwi Independent Paul Johnston Independent (Korean War Veterans) ANNOUNCEMENTS DONATION OF QUONSET HUT — Mr. Reyn Scheffer Director Engelhard was contacted by Reyn Scheffer who has a Quonset but (54' long by 20' wide) that has been turned into a house (it once belonged to the Goto family of Waimea). The outside is not in the best shape, but the inside is in really good shape. Mr. Scheffer has offered to donate it to veterans because he feels they would have the most appreciation for Quonset huts. It once was a 3- bedroom home and has been renovated. It now has an entry area, large open living space, one room that could serve as an office, a kitchen and a bathroom. The problems with accepting the donation is that it would have to be transported from its hillside location by August 20th (possible 60 day extension — latest date of removal is October 20th). He has sold the property and the new owner does not want it. If anybody is interested, Pat has Mr. Scheffer's phone number. She gave it to Minoru Hanato and will also inform Mr. Highley. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 5 July 28, 2005 KMC FACILITY Chairman Kaoiwi received correspondence from KMC encouraging veterans to utilize facility. GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY — STATE VETERANS HOME The State Veterans Home Groundbreaking Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at the Old Hilo Hospital Parking Lot from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on August 18, 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 3:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nathal el Savibo-s- Secretary