The annual veterans roundup and celebration will be held at the Veterans Center Friday, the Fourth of July. Veteran counselors and advisors will be available starting at 10 a.m. The festivities will start at noon, and lunch will be served at no cost. All veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families are invited. For information, call Aida Cruz at 246-1135.
Passing of mayor
Like the rest of the community, the veterans mourn the loss Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste. He was present at many veteran functions, as recent as Memorial Day, when he gave the opening remarks and did the honorary placement of the wreath in memory of the deceased veterans.
According to Veterans Council Commander Bill Honjiyo, “Mayor Baptiste was truly an advocate and supporter of the Kaua‘i veterans. We will miss him and most certainly miss his warm friendship towards the veterans. The Veterans Council and its 14 organizational members express its sincere condolences to the family.”
Island transportation
The Disabled American Veteran’s transportation network is the only way many veterans are able to get to VA medical facilities. On Kaua‘i, the network is coordinated through the Community Based Outpatient Clinic. Drivers are volunteers and receive no pay for their services. If you wish to be a volunteer driver, call Edward Kawamura at 652-6706. Those in need of transportation for medical appointments are asked to call the clinic at 246-0497.
VA reaches out to women veterans
The Fourth National Summit on Women Veterans’ issues was held in Washington, D.C., from June 20 to 22. The forum brought out the issues important to women veterans of all eras. These ladies are entitled to the same benefits and medical care as their male counterparts. As previously reported, the VA has created a comprehensive array of medical benefits and programs for women. For more information, contact Lynn Alward-Bingman at 635-2991.
Medical services
The veterans’ outpatient clinic is open during regular business hours, Mondays through Fridays. Veterans who walk into a clinic without an appointment will be assessed. The individual may be given an appointment or treated, based on health status.
Veterans seeking information on available medical facilities and entitlement should call the advice line at 433-0852. During the week, the line is answered by a nurse on O‘ahu. After clinic hours the line is answered by a nurse on the Mainland. They both can access medical records. For emergencies, call 911.
New executive board
During its monthly meeting, the Kaua‘i Veterans Council elected a new executive board. The officers are William Honjiyo, commander; Richard Kashiwabara, vice-commander; Charlene Dorsey, adjutant; Tony Hubahib, treasurer; and Norman Braun as a member of the Management Committee. The newly elected officers were sworn in by Judge Trudy Senda on June 11 and will assume their duties July 1.
One-stop center
The ultimate goal in serving veterans is to create a one-stop center on Kaua‘i. The Veterans Council is fervently working on a building design to house the VA and clinic staff at the open area behind the Veterans Center on Kapule Highway.
With the Office of Veterans Services already on-site, project Chairman Bill Honjiyo stated, “It will be like a one-stop shopping center. Veterans need only go to one location for medical support or when seeking assistance from the VA or (Office of Veterans Services).” The added bonus is that there will be ample parking spaces.
A joint location will also resolve problems in terminology when the community members make references to the Veterans Center, as both the VA and the Veterans Council refer to their facilities as veterans centers.
Vehicle tax exemption
Gov. Linda Lingle signed into law a bill that provides weight tax exemption for non-commercial vehicles for Hawai‘i residents assigned to a military unit in Hawai‘i, including the National Guard, Coast Guard and Reserves. Non-resident members assigned to a military unit in Hawai‘i were already exempt from vehicle taxes and fees by the Civil Relief Act of 2004. Unfortunately, the veterans were not included in the bill.
State veterans home
Information for admission and the application to the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo have been released. There have been some misunderstandings regarding eligibility.
To be eligible for admission, the veteran must be eligible to receive benefits from the VA. The veteran does not have to have a service-connected disability or be a combat veteran to qualify. The home is not free and the veteran must have the ability to pay.
For information, contact Danielle Pacheco at (808) 961-1500 or e-mail her at Danielle.pacheco@avalonhci.com
• Johnny Rabasa, a Hanama‘ulu resident and Kaua‘i High School graduate, served for 30 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a command sergeant major. He served in Vietnam. He also retired from the U.S. Postal Service, was postmaster at the Kaumakani post office, and worked at the Lihu‘e post office. He writes this monthly column exclusively for The Garden Island.
