HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-16 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes
VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday, February 16, 2012, 3:00 p.m.
County Building – Puna Conference Room (Hilo)
Kona Mayor’s Office Conference Room (Via Videoconferencing)
Present Members
Don Bennett
Caleb Churchill
Penny Fox
Brian Jordan
Delbert Nishimoto
Emile Wery
George Yamamoto
Kona Mayor’s Office (Via Videoconferencing)
Members
David Carlson
Antonio Gaspar
Minoru Hanato
Joseph Nimori
Guests (Kona)
Tom Leone (KWV)
Boss Hanato (DAV)
Ex-Officio (Kona)
Robert Fitzgerald, Director,P&R
Guests (Hilo)
Juan Babiak, Liaison (Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home)
Keoni Delacruz (DAV Chapter 9)
Camron Fox (DAV Chapter 9)
Madison Harris
Ex-Officio (Hilo)
Joseph Flores (OVS)
Juan Babiak, YukioOkutsu State Veterans Home
Also Present (Hilo)
Clayton Honma, Deputy Director, P&R
Nathalie Santos, Secretary, P&R
Carolle Brulee-Wilson – State Veterans Advisory Board – EH Member
Herbert Lum - State Veterans Advisory Board - WH Member
Renee Schoen, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Absent
George Mukai
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Penny Fox called the meeting to order at 3:20 pm.
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STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
None.
PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – June 16, 2011
The minutes of the June 16, 2011 meeting were approved as submitted.
REPORT ON CEMETERIES – STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD
Hawaii Island - East Hawaii Representative – Ms. Carolle Brulee-Wilson
Ms. Carolle Brulee-Wilson reported that former Department of Defense Director Greg
Jackson resigned his position recently to join a team of advisors in South Sudan. The
team will be assisting the South Sudan’s Ministry of Defense to normalize South
Sudanese People’s Liberation Army.
Ms. Brulee-Wilson said to save time the following reports were previously distributed to
members for their review: Department of Defense Engineering Report dated February 3,
2012 and the Office of Veterans’ Services Director’s Report to Governor’s Advisory
Board on Veterans Services dated November 4, 2011.
Hawaii Island - West Hawaii Representative - Mr. Herb Lum
Mr. Lum announced that Bronsten Kalei Kossow received his Eagle Scout Badge for the
very professional brochure he designed and printed for distribution which includes
information about the cemetery and plot locations. He announced that we are very proud
of his accomplishment.
Mr. Lum reported on several bills of interest at the Legislature. One is to eliminate the
residency requirements for burials in the cemetery. As it stands right now, veterans in the
Mainland are not eligible to be buried in the cemeteries here. This issue of residency
requirement came up awhile ago in regards to the Yukio Okutso State Veterans Home,
there was concern because on one side they said a Veteran is a Veteran and the other side
the home is largely funded by state funds and operated and maintained by a quasi state
organization, therefore, the taxpayers of this state have a big investment in this home,
people from the other states do not pay taxes in Hawaii, so therefore, are ineligible. To
compromise there is a minimal requirement for out of state veterans.
Juan Babiak, Liaison for the Yukio Okutso State Veterans Home said he spoke with
former YOSVO employee Keith Ribbentrop regarding the in-state residency requirement
for admission to the State Veterans Home. One of the things they found after the
requirements were in place, it’s something that would be difficult to defend if it’s legally
challenged. He said we should make allowances when we can. In other words, we
should give priority to veterans in Hawaii especially veterans who are residents here.
Next consider veterans who are here living with family members in Hawaii, then if there
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February 16, 2012
is space available, we could consider people from other states. We haven’t had inquiries
from people from other states yet and we are trying to work on an individual case basis.
Mr. Babiak said they also need to leave space for short term patients who come in for
rehab a certain amount of time and then want to go home.
There was a continued discussion about the residency requirement for the Yukio Okutso
State Veterans Home, which was (Inaudible).
Mr. Lum said the cemetery issue is the same; residency versus non-residency and the bill
that is before the legislature would eliminate residency requirements and make it clear
that veterans from other states can be buried here. It’s a little different than the State
Veterans Home side because the cemeteries although built on state land, construction was
financed by the federal government and is maintained by the County of Hawaii as far as
on outer islands. Kaneohe Cemetery is maintained by the state and Punchbowl is
maintained with federal funds. He believes the bill will pass easily.
Mr. Nishimoto asked Mr. Flores and Mr. Lum if they knew whether OVS supported the
bill relating to allowing non-residents to be buried at Veterans Cemeteries in Hawaii.
They didn’t know the answer. Mr. Nishimoto said there is good and bad about the
residency requirement. Punchbowl Cemetery is a National Cemetery and anyone can be
buried there, the cemetery filled up quickly so it’s a very critical decision.
Ms. Carolle Brulee-Wilson will contact OVS and find out their position on the
non-residency burial procedure or what type of plan they have.
Mr. Lum also shared about a bill relating to State ID cards which can be obtained at the
State Governor’s Liaison Office for approximately $10 and is good for traveling in place
of a driver’s license. The bill before the Legislature is to have the word “Veteran”
imprinted on the State ID card and use that as a Veterans ID card. He recommends that
veterans wait until that bill passes to obtain a card. With “Veteran” on the ID Card it
could be used to get veteran discounts at various stores.
Mr. Flores said they receive numerous requests from veterans to obtain a Veteran ID card
so they can receive discounts. He is unable to authorize such an ID card.
Mr. Babiak shared that one of the things they struggle with at the Yukio Okutso State
Veterans Home is that so many of our veterans don’t have a VA ID card and they don’t
have a copy of their DD214 form. He recommends veterans enroll in the Health System
and get their DD214 in the system, apply for some sort of benefit to get in the system.
Mr. Hanato said he recommended to some veterans to go to the VA Office and get an ID
card, and they were told they don’t qualify because they make too much money.
Chairperson Fox said you may not qualify for a Veteran ID, but you would be in the
system.
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Mr. Flores said the best thing for a veteran to do is go to CBOP to turn in the 1010 EZ
form. Send it directly to Sparky Matsunaga or the VA Benefits Office on Oahu. They
make the decisive factor on everything. He said to remember that a veteran is a veteran is
a veteran and is authorized care, it’s just the level of care they are authorized. If you send
the 1010 EZ to them, they will send you a response as to what priority group you are and
you will be registered.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Director Fitzgerald announced the following:
1) Bronsten Kalei Kossow was honored at a Hawaii County Council Meeting for the
successful completion of his Eagle Scout Project.
2)The awning at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery took a beating during a recent
windstorm. We are in the process of putting up a new one since the old one is
beyond repair.
3)Water - The watering at the cemetery is always a problem and we have not yet
heard anything about the water company going to the PUC. When that happens,
he will inform members.
4)Parks Maintenance West Hawaii District Supervisor Steve Akau has been on the
job for the past six months and hopefully has been responsive.
5)He thanked the volunteers for all of the work they do at the cemetery.
Mr. Minoru Hanato asked for additional copies of Kalei’s brochures since its running out.
Mr. Fitzgerald said we should be updating the insert approximately every six months and
he will let Barbara know about needing more copies at the cemetery since it’s stored in
the Mayor’s Office.
Mr. Minoru Hanato said the gravesite markings are needed to identify the rows.
Mr. Fitzgerald responded that he believes Kalei will be using some of the extra funds he
raised to finish the markings there.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Reforestation Project
(Members reviewed the Reforestation Report dated February 15 2012 submitted by
Dr. Richard Stevens). (Copy enclosed)
Chairperson Fox said she was pleased to see in the November Report that no extra water
is required for new plantings of dryland plants.
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NEW BUSINESS
ELECTIONS
Elections for Veterans Advisory Committee Chairperson and Vice Chairperson were held
ELECTION RESULTS:
to serve from 2012-2013 and the following are the
The newly elected Chairperson is Brian Jordan
The newly elected Vice-Chairperson is David Carslon
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Office of Veterans Services
OVS Counselor Mr. Joseph Flores said that all holders of Form 214’s should have forms
stored, it was something that OVS passed years ago. He said their staff will take all
214’s and put it in their data base. He asked members to spread the word to bring forms
in to any OVS and have it stored. They will not be able to certify a 214 unless it’s an
original. Originals are either stamped or have an impression, they will accept any 214 for
record, but to certify the form it has to be an original.
Mr. Flores said he has received a lot of requests for license plates.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE HILO OVS OFFICE MOVED – NEW ADDRESS
Mr. Joseph Flores announced that the Hilo Office of Veterans Services has moved to the
new site near the airport. They are no longer at the Hilo Lagoon Center on Aupuni
Street.
New Address: Office of Veterans Services, Hawaii-Hilo
Building 643-A
1304 Kekuanaoa Street, #L-102
Hilo, HI 96720
Mr. Flores introduced newly hired Counselor Judy Ranger and said eventually they plan
to have one counselor in Kona. The Vet Center has graciously offered an office there. In
the future, Judy can go to Kona and they can split the island.
YUKIO OKUTSU STATE VETERANS HOME
Juan Babiak, Liaison (Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home) announced that occupancy is
currently low at the YOSVO and asked if members know of anyone in the hospital or in
need of nursing care to have them consider YOSVH. They also provide rehab services
seven days a week.
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February 16, 2012
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
Master Sgt. Brian Jordan said he is getting ready to coordinate the Annual Memorial Day
Ceremony Event and will send out the letters to the County soon.
MAHALO TO OUTGOING CHAIRPERSON PENNY FOX
Director Fitzgerald thanked Penny Fox for her many years of service as Chairperson of
the Veterans Advisory Committee and said he appreciates her dedication to the
committee and patience..
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled to be held on Thursday, April 19 at 3pm.
In Hilo – Hawaii County Building – Puna Conference Room
In Kona – West Hawaii Civic Center – Mayor’s Office Conference Room
(Videoconference)
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 4:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nathalie Santos,
Secretary