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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES for 2025-08-27 FINALVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 10:00 a.m. Zoom Video Conferencing and Kona Department of Parks and Recreation Office Present Members in attendance (via zoom) Michael Doolittle, Chair Wayne Nishijima, Member Isaac Nahakuelua, Member Birk Billingsley, Member Marcia Brinkley, Vice -Chair Debra Lewis, Member Members in attendance at Department of Parks and Recreation Kona office (Via zoom Minoru Hanato, Member Antonio Gaspar, Member Melissa Samura, Department of Parks and Recreation Deputy Director (Ex-Officio) Members in attendance (phone conference) George Sheridan, Member Guests Denise Link — Hilo Vet Center, Mental Health Professional Also in attendance (via zoom) Amy Bautista, Veterans Advisory Committee Secretary J Yoshimoto, Department of Parks and Recreation Corporation Counsel Owen Harold (joined 10:02 a.m.) Tom Wojszynski, Member (joined during recess) John Hiduchick-Nakayama, Member (joined during recess) Absent Joshua Sze, Member Chair M Doolittle confirmed have quorum. Introduction of New Committee Member Wayne Nishijima. Use to be on Committee under tenure of Kenoi. Secretary of Big Island National Guard Retirees Association. Call to Order Chair M Doolittle called meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Veterans Advisory Committee August 27, 2025, 10:00 a.m. Page 2 STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC DENISE LINK Previously discussed coordination with MPs and Veterans suicide, over the last few months have been working with Hawaii County Police Department on coordination. D Link and Kona Director, in November, will be going to each Police Department to share information on what's available. Police Department will also provide family member of deceased Hilo Vet Center contact information to provide services. By request, shared contact information: Denise Link, Hilo Vet Center Director, 808-969-3833 (office), MEETING RECESSED 10:30 a.m. MEETING RESUMED 10:37 a.m. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Chair M Dolittle introduced May 28, 2025 minutes. T Wojszynski made motion to accept minutes with amendments. Discussion on suggested amendment. Located video and played to confirm statements made. T Wojszynski removed motion. T Wojszynski made motion to accept the minutes. D Lewis seconded the motion. All stated aye. Minutes accepted. OLD BUSINESS a. Update on committee vacancies Was not discussed b. Update on information for veteran homelessness and veteran suicide in Hawaii County Refer to update from D Link Veterans Advisory Committee August 27, 2025, 10:00 a.m. Page 3 c. Update on proposed amendment to Section 15-61, Hawaii County Code Chair M Dolittle: Amendment on proposed language was hand delivered to the Mayor. Got notice back that Mayor approved proposed amendment. Now going to move that on to a county council member to bring that issue up to county council for submission of a bill. T Wojszynski: Offered to take proposed language to CM Hustace in District 9. He's agreed to do that. Confirming with J (Yoshimoto) if that is correct protocol? Chair M Dolittle: That's what was specified. J Yoshimoto: will be introduced and will make request to CM Hustace. Mentioned they changed procedures at council for introduction of legislation. Currently in Parks and Recreation's hands to process. NEW BUSINESS a. Chair briefingon n July 21, 2025 meeting with Mayor Alameda Chair M Dolittle: Mayor put Chair M Dolittle in touch with a lobbyist. Chair M Dolittle had a meeting with Mayor and lobbyist, Chair M Dolittle also took lobbyist around to show him what we do for Veterans. Lobbyist committed $25,000 annual donation to Hawaii Island Veterans in Support of Veterans (HIVM). Will need to work with HIVM to secure further funds for documentary. Mayor was very receptive to issues about Veterans and advocating for Veterans in the wellbeing of Veterans in the community. b. Discussion regarding future agenda items One of the things I have tried to encourage from the membership is bringing up issue that you believe need to have discussion and input through this committee. Then bringing up to the attention of the Mayor and Council if need be. We're not getting a full compliment of response from membership. Would like to encourage membership to be active in what you see and bringing issues up. D Lewis: since this is your first meeting, we have become very active in making changes that are going to ensure that we cover all topics that relate to Veterans, not just cemeteries, which is what it had been in the past. Its about the welfare of our Veterans. There has been activity to register cemeteries and monuments. Veterans Advisory Committee August 27, 2025, 10:00 a.m. Page 4 REPORT ON CEMETERIES — STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD a. Hawaii Island — East Hawaii Representative — Kelcie Figueira (OVS) Kelcie Figueira not in attendance. b. Cemetery Audit Results — Director/Deputy Director M Samura: Reported last month that going through auditing procedures. Will be meeting with Park Planner to go over details for Vet III and WH. Critical SOP was developed in 2023 there are other items that need to be done as well, on- going issues. Will be meeting quarterly. ANNOUNCEMENTS D Lewis: have a woman Veteran event on September 28th from 10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. at Lapahoehoe Point. Parade continues to support this event. Kelsey said she did not receive a link. Regarding parade: CMs Hustace, Kierkiewicz, Kagiwada will support parade. Encouraging various entities to participate in Parade. Jerry Change will be Grand Marshall. Vibrant Hawaii will be the Community Parade Marshall and final Parade Marshall will be Kens House of Pancakes. J Hiduchick-Nakayama: have 6th Annual Veterans Day Motorcycle Drive -by Salute on November 16th, 9:30 a.m. at civic. Expecting large presence of motorcycles. Inviting group. Requested A Bautista assist in securing civic center during event. M Brinkley: in yesterdays paper had article about States efforts to prevent suicide. August 30th Prince Kuhio Plaza, 10-4p Veterans resources fair. Will copy article and send to A Bautista to distribute. T Wojszynski: going back to previous agenda item, sent a letter to Chief of Police requesting they submit a budget item. Would a line item be a function of County Government? And would it be more appropriate for that request to go from the Chair to the Mayor to see if the Mayor or Council could include a budget line item for all parades. J Yoshimoto: if the committee wants to make a recommendation to the Mayor and Council about making sure Veteran issues and parade are supported as a budget items, appropriate to do so. Veterans Advisory Committee August 27, 2025, 10:00 a.m. Page 5 D Lewis: two costs that have been added significantly since I have been chair, Police and support to the parade through Parks and Recreation. Last year for the first time Public Works stepped in to support the route with cones and barriers. Always trying to work on include entire island. Received very generous donation from Orchid Island Ford. M Hanato: question, how many times can a Veteran intern a legally married spouse at a Veterans cemetery? Not sure who to direct question to. Chair M Dolittle: Kelcie Figueira, from the office of Veterans Service would be the person to ask. M Hanato: forming another committee to make another small monument for medal of honor recipients. T Wcjszynski: Working on final design and will need to seek necessary approvals. Targeting March 29th Vietnam Veterans War Day. Kentrowa Exhibit CRF donation from CM Evans expired in July 2025. Have requested an extension. Don't have update on project. D Lewis: thought we might want to, at some point in the future, if we might want to consider a stand down? Stand down ability to give Veterans contact information and services. Has to be coordinated to get the right people there. A Bautista: clarified, this is being requested to be added to future agenda items. J Yoshimoto: for the future agenda, does the committee want to agendize to contacting the Mayor and Council Members for future Veterans parade financial support. Chair M Dolittle: yes, I believe we do. J Yoshimoto: if we come up with proposal/budget, so they have an idea of what we're asking for, they're better able to figure that out. Veterans Advisory Committee August 27, 2025, 10:00 a.m. Page 6 NEXT MEETING November 19, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Motion to adjourn by D Lewis. Seconded by (not stated). Collective ayes. No opposed. Meeting adjourned at 11:27 Summary of Veterans Advisory Committee meeting prepared by: Amy Bautista Veterans Advisory Committee, Secretary