Kokua Line
Kokua Line
We went to Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery recently. Cemetery’s water woes
traced to pump, leakNot only are there no restroom facilities, but in one area, there was no water. It is very hard for women and old people, especially, to have to carry water from far away. They say they only had money to build the cemetery, but no money to fix it or maintain it.
It's disgraceful. What's going on? Is there something we can do to help?
(Two complaints.)
Why aren't they maintaining the veterans cemetery in Kaneohe in a respectable manner? I know everybody is under a budget crunch, but it's terrible. They even tell people to plant and water their own grass. They also have a lot of rules and regulations, yet they let people jog through there.
Unfortunately, the long-term problem is simply a lack of money and staff to maintain the cemetery properly. The short-term problem -- the lack of water -- stemmed from the breakdown of a pump for the cemetery's nonpotable water last month and the ongoing problem of a leak in the potable water system, said Walter Ozawa, the state's director of veterans services.
The repair of the pump, which required replacement parts from the mainland, was imminent. It is used to bring water from a well to a 60,000-gallon tank at the top of a hill in the cemetery, Ozawa said.
To aggravate matters, an apparent leak in the potable water system occurred at the same time the pump broke. No one has been able to find the leak, although three irrigation companies and a specialist referred by the Board of Water Supply have been consulted.
"It's not a simple matter of using a detector," Ozawa said. It literally requires putting an ear to the ground and listening for the sound of water. With 123 acres to cover, the task is daunting.
Two weekends ago, to conserve water, a supervisor turned off the system, which spurred complaints like yours, Ozawa said. But water is now being provided via four spigots, he said.
Meanwhile, the cemetery staff is struggling with everyday maintainance. Although "significantly larger than Punchbowl," a federally run facility, Ozawa said the state cemetery has about one-fourth the employees.
"We are woefully understaffed," with only four workers to do maintenance and burials, he said.
Federal funds helped to build the cemetery, but only state funds are available for its operation and maintenance.
Three more workers were to be reassigned from the state Defense Department, but talks are continuing with the employee union.
Despite all this, Ozawa said families are NOT told to plant and water their own grass, although some choose to do so. After someone is buried, grass is not planted right away to allow the graves to settle, he said. But the water shortage has caused grass planting to fall behind, Ozawa said.
He acknowledged the problem of joggers, dog walkers and others using the cemetery as a public park, sometimes insensitive to the fact that it is a special place for the families of those buried. But again, he said, the problem is that there isn't enough staff to monitor the grounds, although police have been asked to patrol the area.
"At this point, we are asking for understanding and patience," Ozawa said. "We are trying, in tight times, to do the very best we can with what we have."
Volunteers are always welcome. Ozawa said veterans groups have helped with weeding, and prisoners in a prison work program come out twice weekly.
Mahalo
To Parker Tom or Tom Parker who lives near Liliha Place, who found my lost pug and took it to Hawaiian Humane Society. The clerk told me he tried to comfort my frightened little dog. Our family is very grateful to this special person. -- C.N.
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