Vets panel to hold hearings in isles

The U.S. Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee will hold hearings in Hawaii this month on health care and benefits for veterans, and its chairman, Sen. Daniel Akaka, will also hold informal town hall meetings on four neighbor islands.

The town hall meetings are open to public comment, and staff members from the VA will be available to answer questions. Under Senate rules, testimony at the formal congressional hearings is limited to invited speakers, but Akaka will remain after the Oahu hearing to hear from the public.

The schedule for the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearings is:

» Oahu: "VA Care and Benefits in Hawaii"; Aug. 21, 10 a.m.; Oahu Veterans Center, 1298 Kukila St., Honolulu.

» Maui: "VA Health Care on Maui"; Aug. 23, 10:30 a.m.; Kalana O Maui Building, Maui County Council Chambers, 8th floor, Wailuku.

» Big Island: "Access to VA Health Care and Benefits and Outreach to the Guard and Reserve"; Aug. 27, 1 p.m., Keauhou Bay Sheraton, Keauhou II Room, 78-128 Ehukai St., Kailua-Kona.

The schedule for the town hall meetings hosted by Akaka is:

» Lanai: Aug. 22, 10 a.m., ILWU Hall.

» Molokai: Aug. 24, 2 p.m., DHHL Kulana 'Oiwi complex, 660 Maunaloa Highway, Kalamaula.

>> Big Island: Aug. 28, 10 a.m., Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St.

» Kauai: Aug. 30, 4 p.m., Kauai Veterans Center.