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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES for 2024-11-20 FINALVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 10:00 a.m. Zoom Video Conferencing and Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Present Members Michael Doolittle Isaac Nahakuelua George Sheridan Debra Lewis Birk Billingsley Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencin2) Members Antonio Gaspar Marcia Brinkley Tom Wojszynski Minoru Hanato Guests None Ex-Ofiicio (Hilo) Michelle Hiraishi, Deputy Director P&R Kelcie Figueira, OVS Representative Also Present (Hilo) Dakota "Cody" Frenz, Deputy Corporation Counsel Brittany Castro, Secretary Absent John Hiduchick-Nakayama Call to Order Chair Michael Doolittle called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m. Quorum met with nine members present. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC None ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Chair Doolittle introduced the minutes from the last meeting of August 28, 2024. Antonio Gaspar made a motion to accept the minutes as written. George Sheridan seconded the motion. No discussion. Nine ayes. None opposed. Minutes accepted. Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes November 20, 2024 Page 2 OLD BUSINESS Cemetery Updates and Improvements: Update on Camp Tarawa Exhibit at Kona Airport Tom Wcjszynski reported they've received all approvals and are waiting on the funding from Council member Evans to build the exhibit. Status of Island Wide Memorials Tom reported that Michelle Hiraishi was able to get him photos of the last two memorials for the online directory. Everything has been completed for this. Status of Veterans Housing Proiect Chair Doolittle explained, Hale Na Koa `o Hanakahi is complete. They received their certificate of occupancy. Due to the delay of the project, there may be some residents that will be living in the facility before they can get an opening/blessing done. Remarks from Veterans Parade & Planning for next year Debra Lewis thanked everyone for their support in the parade. The parade would not be possible without all the volunteers. The parade hosted 71 units, including three aircrafts. The costs are getting astronomical. Deb thanked groups like HIVM and The Wall that Heals for donating money to support the parade that now costs about $17,000. Antonio Gaspar wanted to recognize American Legion Post 3 for cleaning the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and eternal flame memorial prior to the parade and Veterans Day. Tom questioned Michelle if there's a possibility that Parks & Recreation could add into their budget to assist with parades. Michelle announced P&R's Business Manager is Charmaine Felipe and she would be the best person to discuss that with. DCC Cody Frenz recommended Michelle email Tom and the business manager to get a conversation going. With the Chair's permission, this would be a good "new agenda item" for the next meeting. Invite both police and fire (paramedics) to the next meeting to have a discussion with them. "How to flush out issues & curtails costs of the parade." Chair Doolittle agreed to add it to the next agenda. NEW BUSINESS Proposed Meeting Dates for 2025 Brittany presented a list of proposed dates following previous meetings, being the fourth Wednesday, once a quarter. Due to Thanksgiving holiday, November will be the third Wednesday of the Month: • February 26, 2025 • May 28, 2025 • August 27, 2025 • November 19, 2025 Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes November 20, 2024 Page 3 Tom made a motion to accept the meeting dates as presented by Brittany. Minoru Hanato seconded the motion. No discussion. Nine ayes. None opposed. The proposed meeting dates have been accepted as presented. Committee Vacancies Brittany explained that there are currently two vacancies in the committee. Both vacancies are at -large members and do not need to be veterans to become a member. All members need to apply or reapply through the Mayor's office. I will as a courtesy, send all members their expiration date. *DCC Cody Frenz left the meeting for another emergency meeting. Grants for Homeless Veterans & Other Ideas for Support Debra explained that she is a part of other non -profits involved with homelessness and there's a lot of questions where and how to help. Chair Doolittle brought up some issues that may prevent veterans from getting help. He also mentioned that mental health is a big part of homelessness. Isaac Nahakuelua explained that some issues he's encountered in people claiming to be a veteran for the social status. But if he connects with homeless veterans he assist with getting their discharge documents and then connected to veterans services. He also found that mental health seems to be connected to childhood and suicide relates to a sense of worthlessness once out of the military service. Debra brought up this issue because she explained it's hard to know what services are available and how to connect veterans to services. Michelle recommended the committee request Housing to speak on how veterans are affected by homelessness. New Mayor coming in has background in mental health, and encourages the committee to tap into the new Mayor's expertise. Kelcie Figueira announced that Hope Services used to have a home for veterans but it was not being utilized so it was closed. She also mentioned that Catholic Charities has some new veterans programs. REPORT ON CEMETERIES Hawaii Island — East Hawaii Representative — Kelcie Figueira — OVS Kelcie Figueira announced no current updates for cemeteries. She also announced there are three Veteran Service Officers on the island and Terry Pule is now at the federal (post office) building downtown. She is able to see veterans same day or same week. There has been a slowdown in veterans contacting OVS. But they are available to assist veterans. Cemetery Audit Update Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes November 20, 2024 Page 4 Michelle reported that Parks & Recreation continues to work on realigning the headstones in the cemetery which is the last item from the audit. ANNOUNCEMENTS New Administration coming in December 2, 2024 Michelle announced that with the new Mayor, there will be new administration within Parks & Recreation. There hasn't been an official announcement of who the new administration will be but believe an announcement will come out on November 22na Shareen Ganigan (Cemeteries Clerk) will remain in the office and can be contacted if there are any questions about cemeteries. Chair Doolittle thanked Maurice, Michelle and Brittany for their help and work over the years. There has been great work done and is hopeful that the new Mayor will support the committee in the same way the last two Mayor's have done. Debra and Kelcie echoed the same sentiments. Minoru gave a brief history of the committee and thanked everyone. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for February 26, 2025, at 10:00 am. Debra Lewis motioned to adjourn. Tom Wojszynski seconded. Nine ayes. None opposed. The meeting was adjourned at 11:32 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Br tta ly Ca4tro- Secretary