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Home My WebLink About2010-02-18 Veteran Advisory Committee MinutesPresent Absent VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, February 18, 2010, 3:00 p.m. Prosecutor's Office (Hilo) and Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Members Don Bennett Carolle Brulee- Wilson Penny Fox Delbert Nishimoto Norman Stahl Emile Wery Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Members Antonio Gaspar Minoru Hanato Robert Welter Guests (Hilo) Rex Shaffer (Sarah Project) Douglas M. O'Dell (Sarah Project) Guests (Kona) Boss Hanato Thomas Leone Ex- Officio (Hilo) Joseph Flores, OVS Ex- Officio (Kona) Robert Fitzgerald, Director, P &R Also Present (Hilo) Nathalie Santos, Secretary Renee Schoen, Deputy Corporation Counsel David Carlson Wendall Kekumu Edward Lee George Mukai Gilbert Sampaia John Young George Yamamoto Call to Order Chairperson Penny Fox called the meeting to order at 3:05 pm - (9) members present. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 2 February 18, 2010 STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC None PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES — November 19, 2009 The minutes of the November 19, 2009 meeting were approved as submitted. REPORT ON CEMETERIES — STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD Hawaii Island - West Hawaii Representative Mr. Herb Lum Mr. Lum announced that Phase IIC at Veterans Cemetery III is complete. This includes the walkways and columbarias. He complimented those that worked on the project including contractors, veterans and the County of Hawaii (Inaudible) Mr. Lum said that Mr. Rick Highley was very instrumental in getting this improvement project underway. The cemetery is very beautiful and people are excited about how nice it looks. He invited those in attendance to go and see the new and improved cemetery. This is an example of what can be done in different communities. Chairperson Fox thanked the Kona Veterans for their part in beautifying and improving the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. She commended them for a job well done and getting things accomplished at the cemetery. Hawaii Island - West Hawaii Representative Dr. Norman Stahl Absent UNFINISHED BUSINESS Veterans Cemetery III - West Hawaii Reforestation Project (Dr. Richard Stevens submitted a written report dated February 19, 2010- submitted with February's agenda.) Chairwoman Fox asked members to read report and asked for questions. Members did not have any questions.) NEW BUSINESS Veterans Cemetery I and II — East Hawaii Solar Lights Mr. Delbert Nishimoto asked if anyone has cost estimates on installing solar lights at Veterans Cemetery I and 11 for security and safety purposes. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 3 February 18, 2010 Director Fitzgerald said he doesn't have that information, but will get an estimate before the next meeting. Mr. Nishimoto said he was thinking of something similar to what is at the Bayfront Area near the Canoe Sheds. He said the Experimental Station on Komohana Street also has solar lights in their parking lot. Director Fitzgerald said he will have Parks Maintenance put a proposal together. Veterans Cemetery III — West Hawaii Request to Leave Flowers on graves from second week of December until first week of January Director Fitzgerald said this is something he recommended allowing leaving flowers longer during the holidays. Mr. Minoru Hanato said the wreaths on the graves were beautiful; there was a lot of participation. County personnel disposed of the wreaths. Chairperson Fox said request is only for three weeks or should we just make change it to one month, from the first of December to the first of January. Deputy Corporation Counsel Renee Schoen said to change any part of Rule 7 - Relating to Veterans Cemeteries, the committee would need to make a motion and a Public Hearing would have to be held. The rule as currently written states "to leave decorations up to two weeks ". Mr. Hanato suggested that the rule be left as is and when it comes to special requests, to just ask permission for that time. Chairperson Fox suggested leaving the rule to read "two weeks" and in November a request could be made to allow decorations for three weeks during the holidays. Members unanimously voted to leave the rule as is and make special requests to leave decorations longer during the holiday season when time nears. Chairperson Fox requested photos of cemetery with wreaths on graves. Veterans Cemetery III — West Hawaii Director Fitzgerald stated that he was informed that the Department of Health in Kona will cease monthly treatment of spraying for mosquitoes at the cemetery effective December 2009 due to manpower shortage. State Maintenance Funds Cancelled for FY 2010 Director Fitzgerald shared that the County of Hawaii received a Notice of Non - Renewal of the Fiscal Year 2010 MOU for Cemetery Services for $22,500. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 4 February 18, 2010 Mr. Lum said he doesn't know about losing funding, but he will check with OVS. Mr. Nishimoto asked him to check because he has a feeling these funds may be used at Kaneohe Veterans Cemetery. EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS None ANNOUNCEMENTS Homeless Veterans Ms. Brulee- Wilson announced the annual Outreach Event for Homeless Veterans will be held on May 28, 2010. She invited members to attend the planning meetings and asked them to inform their members about event and let them know everyone is welcome to be a part of the planning committee. Ms. Brulee- Wilson also requested members inform any veterans that could benefit from attending this event. During event they will have food, showers and lots of information. Proiect Sarah — Homeless Housing Proiect Mr. Rex Shaffer, Coordinator of the "Sarah Project" shared information about a proposed housing project to help veterans. He will be going in front of the Hawaii County Council soon, possibly on March 18th and is requesting support from veterans. (He distributed folders with information to members) Mr. Shaffer explained the "Sarah Project" and said he can also help with solar lighting project for cemetery. He said this housing project will help solve problems relating to the homeless and especially wants to help homeless veterans. Feels we have lost the unity and separated so much that we have strength only in our little sections. This project brings the state, county and federal government along with groups like veterans associations together. The last failed housing project he is familiar with needed 40 million dollars just on infrastructure (sewers and streets). This project doesn't need any sewers, it surpasses every certification, is completely self sufficient and it makes a profit after everything is complete. Every month the parties involved with project will receive funds back through aqua farming, Day Care, etc. Health care will be provided and these homes have no utility bills. Cost would be $25,000 to $30,000 for a 2 to 3 bedroom home. (Walls are about 20" thick, Roman Art technology combined with mid - eastern dome technology, lasts hundreds of years, earthquake proof, and hurricane proof.) It uses the natural soil, seven parts cinder, one part blue rock cinder, one part cement and one part water. It's an amazing technology used thousands of years. Mr. Shaffer shared his personal feelings about how he broke his commitment to the military, how helping veterans helps him to heal and commended veterans for their service. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 5 February 18, 2010 He asked members to review the folder, talk to people about this project and help encourage Mayor to give them 120 acres out of the 3,000 acres in Hamakua to build 100 plus homes, and supply 100 plus jobs and take 100 plus families off the street. Mr. Shaffer's cell phone number: 854 -0490; Website not registered yet, but you can look at it: https:A \sarandomeproject.web.com. He also provided copies of a petition he is circulating for signatures. Chairperson Fox said if he presents this project to the County Council on March 18th, members could lend him support first and then come to the Veterans Advisory Committee afterwards. Veterans Cemetery III — West Hawaii Flagpoles Mr. Minoru Hanato said that two of the newer flagpoles have the nice round gold balls on the top. The old flagpole doesn't have one and they would like it to match. Director Fitzgerald will check on it and respond to Mr. Hanato. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 3pm at the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney and video - conferencing at the Kona Mayor's Office conference room. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 3:44 pm. Respectfully submitted, Nathalie Santos, Secretary