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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-15 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, August 15, 2013, 3:00 p.m. County Building – Puna Conference Room (Hilo) Kona Mayor’s Office Conference Room (Via Videoconferencing) Present Members Caleb Churchill Penny Fox Wayne Nishijima Delbert Nishimoto John Okino Emile Wery Kona (OHCD & Elections Office Conference Room) (Via Videoconferencing) Members David Carlson Antonio Gaspar Minoru Hanato Joseph Nimori Guests (Kona) Tom Leone (KWV) Karen Eoff, Council Member Wendy Baez, Legislative Specialist to Council Member Eoff Guests (Hilo) Juan Babiak, Liaison (Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home) Ex-Officio (Hilo) Robert Fitzgerald, Director,P&R Also Present (Hilo) Nathalie Santos, Secretary, P&R Herbert Lum - State Veterans Advisory Board - WH Member Renee Schoen, Deputy Corporation Counsel Absent Don Bennett George Yamamoto CALL TO ORDER  Chairperson David Carlson called the meeting to order at 3:15 pm. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC None. PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – February 16, 2012 The minutes of the February 16, 2012 meeting were approved as submitted. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 2 August 15, 2013 REPORT ON CEMETERIES – STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD Hawai`i Island - East Hawai`i Representative – Ms. Carolle Brulee-Wilson Secretary Nathalie Santos announced that Ms. Carolle Brulee-Wilson has resigned as the East Hawai‘i representative on the State Veterans Advisory Board and that slot has not yet been filled. Hawai`i Island - West Hawai`i Representative - Mr. Herb Lum Veterans Cemeteries I and II – East Hawai`I – Beautification Improvement Project Mr. Lum reported on an approved project for East Hawai‘i Veterans I and II along with three other cemeteries (Maui, Kauai and Kane‘ohe) to clean up the cemetery; replacement of grass and to clean, readjust and realign gravestones. The project has been approved, however funding has not been identified. This same project has been completed at Punchbowl Cemetery and it looks brand new. Veterans Cemetery III - West Hawai`I – Water Well Project Mr. Lum also reported that The National Cemetery Administration has approved a well project for the West Hawai`i Cemetery which will hopefully remedy the water problems. Project is approved in the Group 2 category which lists projects that are approved without funding. When the state comes up with matching funds it will be placed in Group 1. The priority at this point is 94 out of 100 which is pretty low. We will have to wait in line with other projects on the priority list and we don’t how long that will be. Mr. Lum said they will try to set up a MIA memorial at Veterans Cemetery III; it’s on its way to being financed. He will let the West Hawai`i members present that proposal. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION Deputy Director Fitzgerald shared that Director Honma apologizes for not being able to attend the meeting and announced the following: 1)Memorial Request – Military Order of the Purple Heart Deputy Director Fitzgerald informed the committee of a request received from the Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Dale Wilson to be added to the next agenda – MOPH will present their request to place a Monument for The Military Order of the Purple Heart at Veterans Cemetery II. VAC Member Emile Wery briefed committee on the memorial. He stated that the MOPH has already met with Senator Kahele, the cost is approximately $6,500, MOPH will fund it, there is one placed at the Veterans Cemetery on Maui. The intention is to first erect a memorial in Veterans II and then in Veterans III. The organization has already contacted various businesses and funding is available. They will just need the approvals to put it in place. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 3 August 15, 2013 2)Naming Of The Access Road Leading To Cemetery III Naming of the Access Road leading to Veterans Cemetery III “Ala Koa” English Translation “Trail of Warriors”. Council Member Karen Eoff stated that it was her understanding that the approval of this committee was first needed and if that happens she would take care of presenting it to County Council to name the road. Chairperson David Carlson said there have been discussions with the West Hawai`i members and the name they request is “Ke Ala Koa” which included a discussion with Angel Pilago to name it correctly. Member Wery stated that the correct context would be “Ke Ala Koa” to include “Ke” in front of the name. MOTION – Recommendation To Call The Entrance Road to Veterans Cemetery III – “Ke Ala Koa” Member Penny Fox made a motion that the committee recommend calling the entrance road to Veterans Cemetery III “Ke Ala Koa”. Member Wery seconded the motion. Chairperson Carlson asked for any discussion, there was none following the recommendation. All members voted in favor of the motion. Deputy Corporation Counsel Renee Schoen stated since this committee has approved recommending naming the road “Ke Ala Koa”, she will first confirm that it complies with the Hawai`i County Code as to the naming of streets and confirm with landowner “State” before the recommendation is sent to Council Member Eoff’s office to draft a Council Resolution. Council Member Eoff assigned Legislative Specialist Wendy Baez to work with Renee. Member Fox asked if it was necessary to amend the motion to state it is recommended pending the required approvals. Deputy Corporation Counsel responded that the motion is okay as it is and if any issues come up, it will be brought back to this committee. If there are none, the naming will proceed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Reforestation Project (Members reviewed the Reforestation Report dated August 2013 submitted by Dr. Richard Stevens). Veterans Advisory Committee Page 4 August 15, 2013 NEW BUSINESS VETERANS CEMETERY III - WEST HAWAI`I Portable Restroom Placed at Roadway Entrance Chairperson Carlson said there is a health concern related to people using the wall at the Veterans Cemetery III entrance as a hiding area for runners on Queen K Highway to defecate. He recommends that the County submit a request to the State to put in a rest stop somewhere near the West Hawai`i Veterans Cemetery. Deputy Director Fitzgerald said he received requests to have a portable restroom placed near the entrance of the West Hawai`i Veterans Cemetery. He has had discussions with people who don’t feel it’s appropriate and separately with triathletes and bikers. There was a portable restroom placed there for a one time event a couple weeks ago that he did not give approval to and was not informed about. He has been in discussion with bikers and feels personally that it would not be an appropriate location for a portable restroom. He instructed the bikers to discuss placement with Ironman, State DOT, State Parks (Regarding the Entrance to Kua Bay), Kukio, the Hualalai Resort to request permission for another location near the cemetery. He asked members for their input. Member Fox feels seeing a portable restroom at the entrance is disgusting and dishonorable and requests placing it somewhere away from the cemetery. Member Minoru Hanato also feels a portable restroom should not be placed there. He recommends putting it somewhere else. Chairperson Carlson said because the cemetery closes ½ day, bikers cannot ride up to the restroom at the cemetery. Members responded that it is not our problem. Member Wery also stated that it should be placed away from the cemetery. Deputy Director Fitzgerald will discuss with Diane of Ironman to inform her of the problems. He will also check with the State and report back to the committee at the next meeting. ADA Portable Fixture Complaints Deputy Director Fitzgerald shared that Park Planner James Komata has not had an opportunity to take measurements in the restrooms yet, but he is aware of the concerns. In the meantime, West Hawai`i Parks District Superintendent Dennis Riordan installed additional handrails. It was built by the state and if there are problems with the design it would have to be addressed by them. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 5 August 15, 2013 Vehicle Stops Chairperson Carlson said that in the plan there were permanent stops planned for installation in front of the restroom building. It has never been installed and he’s afraid one day someone will drive into the building. Member Minoru Hanato said that stops were also supposed to be placed to keep vehicles out of the graveyard. Some were installed and some are missing. Deputy Director Fitzgerald will check with Dennis Riordan. Chairperson Carlson reported the following: Flag and Fire Extinguisher Flag condition is okay per Chairman Carlson and the fire extinguisher has been replaced. Top Entrance Automatic Gate The top entrance gate has been a constant irritation, but unsure what can be done. Deputy Director Fitzgerald spoke to Parks District Superintendent Dennis Riordan about that, the electricians have been out there, but you still have to drive real close to the gate for it to work, not sure if it’s a design flaw, but we are stuck with that gate until we find funds to replace it. It’s not broken, it’s just the set off. Member Hanato said it needs to be adjusted and he will try to figure it out. Originally the gate was supposed to open outwards. He installed chain link fence at the bottom of the gate to keep the goats out which really doesn’t match. Deputy Director Fitzgerald will double check with Dennis Riordan to see if it can be adjusted. The last time it was adjusted, it just didn’t open at all. Water Deputy Director Fitzgerald reported that the Waikoloa Water Company has not sent an extra invoice and he has not heard anything about it yet. When he receives the first invoice he will inform the committee. He knows the owner has a heart for the Veterans. Deputy Fitzgerald hopes that because we have a plan to install a well he may be able to go back to the original agreement and hold off until the well is built. Chairperson Carlson said the employees are hand watering, turning on sprinklers, leaving for hours and then returning to turn it off. Deputy Director Fitzgerald said they are trying to get the lawn back and we will not be paying for non-potable water. The college hired someone to look at the irrigation system and they are looking at the possibility that algae may be growing in the pipes, which makes sense because of the water reservoir. That may be the reason the pressure is getting so weak. Member Hanato shared that when the main waterline was repaired, debris of gravel and sand went into the waterline and that is the cause of the problem. When the cemetery was repaired, they buried the main waterline under the ground, instead of changing the pvc to the (inaudible) type line, they left the pvc and the pvc cracked. When they did Veterans Advisory Committee Page 6 August 15, 2013 that, some gravel went into the line. The only way to fix it is to bring in sprinkler heads and timers because they didn’t clean out the gravel when they put in the new waterline. New Employee Assigned to the West Hawai`i Veterans Cemetery Deputy Director Fitzgerald announced that a new P&R employee is assigned to work at the West Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery. He will first train with employees in East Hawai`i. He is a West Hawai`i resident; he comes from a military family and is committed to do a good job. He is hoping that the veterans/volunteers will have a good relationship with him and that the issues of the past will be resolved. Columbariums – Installation of Vases Deputy Director Fitzgerald shared that the vases do not line up on the columbariums and because of the bolt installation the last row is off. Member Hanato responded that the reason the bolts were installed that way is because the bottom row vases would be on the ground so that’s why it’s on the top right hand corner. As long as you put vases in all the same way, it’s uniform. Not enough room to keep it on the left because it doesn’t fit with the one above. Everyone was okay with it because that’s how it is. West Hawai`i Veterans Cemetery Chairs Deputy Director reported there was a problem at the events pavilion with the chairs. Someone fell so chairs were taken from the West Hawai`i Veterans Cemetery to the Events Pavilion temporarily. The chairs at the Events Pavilion will be replaced and the cemetery chairs should be returned to the cemetery within the next 30 days. Member Minoru Hanato said they have seen the cemetery chairs all over the place during parties at the Old Kona Airport including in the parking lot. He said those chairs were never supposed to leave the cemetery. He recommends that the chairs at the Old Kona Airport Events Pavilion be counted before each use and then counted again afterwards so that renters are accountable for the chairs and will be more careful. ELECTIONS Elections for Veterans Advisory Committee Vice Chairperson to serve from 2012-2013 ELECTION RESULTS: was held and the following is the The newly elected Vice-Chairperson is Emile Wery VETERANS CEMETERY III - EAST HAWAI`I REQUESTS TO ADD NAMES TO THE MEMORIAL BOARD U.S. Army Soldier Daniel K. Puhi Delbert Nishimoto reported that U.S. Army Soldier Daniel K. Puhi killed in the Republic of Vietnam on December 6, 1967 is buried at Veterans Cemetery I, but his name is not on the Display Memorial Board in the Pavilion. He requested that the name be added, asked Veterans Advisory Committee Page 7 August 15, 2013 what the cost would be and if they need to solicit funding. He shared that also on the agenda is a request from Member Emile Wery. Chairman Carlson asked if the wall is a county project and Member Nishimoto said yes, it is a Memorial Wall at Veterans Cemetery I listing the names of all the veterans buried there from various war conflicts. Minoru Hanato said the wood is getting bad and Delbert Nishimoto responded that work is needed on the board to repair metal, wood and make room for additional names. Korean Veteran Douglas Burke Emile Wery reported that he received a call from the Burke family that was originally from Honoka`a and now reside in Hilo. Their uncle was killed in the Korean War and when they visited the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C. their uncle's name was on it, but his name is not listed on the Hilo board. Member Wery verified that he was killed in the Korean War, he's buried at the Punchbowl Cemetery, but he is from this island, from Honoka`a and enlisted from here. They would like to see his name added to the board at Veterans Cemetery I. Member Nishimoto said the Memorial Wall at Cemetery I is for people that are buried there that were killed in different conflicts. That is the original intent for that wall. There is another memorial at Kalākaua Park which lists names that were killed in various conflicts and Burke might be listed there. Member Wery said that 1st Sergeant Samuel Solomon's name is on the memorial board at Veterans Cemetery I, he was killed in Vietnam and he is buried at Punchbowl Cemetery. Member Nishimoto asked if that is the reason Burke came up and when will it stop. There may not be an end. A decision has to be made, will we allow this to happen, will we recommend it. Member Wery said Puhi is buried at Veterans I, his name should be there, it’s not, Solomon's name is there, but he's buried at Punchbowl. He's is Punchbowl because of what he did, he received a silver star and saved a lot of lives. So if you draw a line, then where does the line start? Exclude Solomon? How can we say no one else can go on the board from the Big Island unless they’re buried there if we're leaving Solomon's name there. We don't have a choice, it was done in the past we have to live with it. Member Nishimoto said the pavilion at Veterans Cemetery I was built by the AJA Veterans, that's the first State Veterans Cemetery in the State of Hawai`i, Punchbowl was there before, but that was the first State Veterans Cemetery built by the AJA Veterans, so everything that is there is because of their wishes and desires. Maybe Solomon was someone they looked up to or someone asked them, don't know the history. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 8 August 15, 2013 Member Wery responded that the point is still that Solomon's name is there, but he's buried in Punchbowl so where do you draw the line or do you draw a crooked line. Member Nishimoto said that we need to check if his name is at Kalākaua Park because if it’s listed there, he is covered. (*INAUDIBLE - The recorder was accidentally unplugged) EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS - REPORTS None ANNOUNCEMENTS KOREAN WAR VETERANS Member Wery stated that the Korean War Hilo Club (Chapter 231) was formed from the 45th Division out of Korea prior to the National organization forming. Approximately 2/3 of membership chose not to be a part of Nationals, they are members of the Hilo Chapter only. Most of the other clubs are part of National. (He presented a letter addressed to Director Honma during the meeting to place Korean War Veterans Chapter 231 of Hilo on the Hawai‘i County Veterans Advisory Committee.) YUKIO OKUTSU STATE VETERANS HOME Juan Babiak, Liaison (Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home) announced they spotted a refrigerant leak from one of their air conditioning condensers. They evacuated all the residents out of the nursing home into the adult day health care unit, the lanai and covered walkway. They contacted Hilo Medical Center in case they needed to shelter the residents because Tropical Storm Flossie was expected to hit, but luckily it didn't. It took approximately two hours to repair the leak. The air quality was cleared by the Fire Department after about an hour, but they waited until the AC compressor was repaired before bringing everyone back inside. Fortunately no one was injured during the evacuation and no one was injured by the leak from the refrigerant which is called R22. It’s a new version of freeon which can cause some breathing problems. We were very fortunate, we played it safe and we are counting that evacuation as one of the required disaster drills. FUNDRAISER EVENT AT HALE HALAWAI – AUGUST 25, 2013 To Purchase a Van for the DAV Transportation Network Member Minoru Hanato announced that there will be a fundraiser at Hale Hālāwai on August 25th to help with purchasing a van for the DAV Transportation Network. This van is to take care of all the people from the north side of Kailua all the way to Hāwī, Kohala, Waimea, Pōhakuloa. They will be selling tickets at KTA and Walmart, most of the tickets have already been sold. Veterans Advisory Committee Page 9 August 15, 2013 HONOR GUARD REQUEST TO FORM GROUP FOR EAST HAWAI`I Member Hanato requested that the organizations in Hilo form an "Honor Guard". The National Guard has only 2 to 3 members to do the honors. Marines are the only organization that does it for their branch. The Kona group of volunteers has been traveling to Hilo and it is an all-day affair at their own expense. They have been going all over the island and within the first half of this year, they did more funerals than for the entire last year. He asked if the veterans can kokua and form a group. They have done 62 and it gets very tiring. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled to be held on Thursday, October 17 at 3pm. In Hilo – Hawai`i County Building – Puna Conference Room In Kona – West Hawai`i Civic Center (Videoconference) ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 4:27 pm. Respectfully submitted, Nathalie Santos, Secretary