Office of Veterans Servicesʻ Chronological History

Developing Artwork for Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home

Story by Thomas M Driskill Jr, COL, USA, MSC (Ret), Healthcare Coordinator, Office of Veterans’ Services

In 1967, Hawaiʻi became the first state in the nation to adopt a percent-for-art law with the enactment of the Art in State Buildings Law, which designated one percent of construction costs of new buildings for the acquisition of works of art, either by commission or purchase. The purpose of the law was to beautify and humanize our state buildings and increase public access to the arts. In 1989, State Legislature of Hawaiʻi created the Works of Art Special Fund, expanding upon the provisions of the Art in State Buildings Law to include having works of art available to all state public places.

Specifically, in addition to sources of revenue such as grants from the “National Endowment for the Arts,” a special fund was created into which there is a transfer of one per cent of all state fund appropriations for capital improvement appropriations that are designated for the construction or renovation of state buildings. The statutory authority for the Works of Art Special Fund is found in chapter 103-8.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes. The oversight agency for the special fund is the State of Hawaii Foundation on Arts and Culture (SFAC). The SFCA is administratively attached to the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS).

Since the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home (DKA SVH) construction project is a participant in this funding for art transfer process, Ron Han, Director, Office of Veterans Services (OVS), State of Hawaii Department of Defense (DOD), exercised his position in concert with DAGS leadership to set up a DKA SVH Team Leader meeting with Jonathan Johnson, Executive Director, SFAC. Purpose of the meeting was to seek approval by the Board of Commissioners, SFCA for the DKA project to participate with SFCA in an art development program.

The chronology of events following Director Han’s initial initiative follows:

• Aug 5, 2021: Kick-Off Meeting w Jonathan Johnson, Executive Director, SFCA and DKA SVH Team Leaders via VTC. Project details were discussed and request for SFCA project approval was initiated.
• Aug 12, 2021: Notice received that the Board of Commissioners, SFCA, had approved the initiation of an Art in Public Places (APP) project for DKA SVH. Purpose of the project was to select a location, define the medium and theme of the work of art, and recommend an artist for commission and project completion
• Sep 15, 2021: Director Han proposed DKA SVH ACC composition to Board of Commissioners, SFAC for consideration/approval.
• Sep 27, 2022: Notice received that Director Han’s recommendation for DKA SVH AAC composition had been “officially” approved.
• Nov 19, 2021: First DKA SVH ACC Meeting conducted via VTC. Kamakani Konia, Art in Public Places (APP) Project Management, Arts Program Specialist appointed as SFAC Project Manager, assigned to lead the committee through the entire art development process with assistance as needed from other key SFAC staff. Following SFAC protocol, Kamakani led the committee toward a full understanding or the art development process and associated committee responsibilities. The committee came up with several different ideas on the type of art that would best fit this project. Throughout all discussion, the concepts of “Mountain to Sea” and “Mana” were held foremost in everyone’s mind.
• Jan 12, 2022: Second DKA SVH ACC meeting via VTC with Kamakani Konia. During this meeting, Kamakani facilitated the committee decision process using SFCA project protocol to determine what kind of exterior art was best suited for new facility as well as location for the art. After lengthy discussion and evaluation, the committee decided to commission two murals, each with three panels, on the two-story corners of the facility facing both the parking lot and the facility entrance.
• April 28, 2022: Third DKA SVH ACC meeting via VTC. SFCA staff developed a list of 10 potential artists who, based upon their past projects, could deliver the work of art the committee desired to commission. Following an individual Artist Portfolio Review, the committee selected three artists for live, real-time, VTC interview and further consideration.
• May 18, 2022: Fourth DKA SVH ACC meeting via VTC. The committee interviewed the three final artist candidates, then selected one, above all others, to be the best possible artist to complete a commissioned work of art on our new facility. The artist selected was Kaiʻili Kaulukukui with assistance from his spouse Angela Arvai. Kai was born and raised on Oahu and is a graduate of University of Hawaii, Manoa, where he met his spouse Angela Arvai, from Hungry who was also studying at University of Hawaii, Manoa. Kai was in the construction business for about ten years after graduation from University of Hawaii, Manoa, before he because a full-time professional artist. His construction experience actually gives him an “assist” in this major construction project in concert with his artistic expertise. Kai and Angela now reside on the Big Island which serves as their home base for projects they now complete on a world-wide basis.
• Aug 18, 2022: Fifth DKA SVH AAC In-Person Meeting at DKA SVH construction site with Kaiʻili Kaulukukui and Angela Arvai via VTC from Budapest, Hungry. The committee congratulated Kai and Angela on their selection to complete a most special work of art for DKA SVH and then discussed some basic details. Following the VTC with Kai and Angela, the committee walked the ground to review the plans that were being developed.
• Oct 14, 2022: Sixth DKA SVH ACC meeting In-Person at DKA SVH construction site with newly commissioned artists Kai and Angela. Prior to this meeting, Kai had signed the commissioning contract with SFCA and SFCA was in the process of obtaining various required state contract approvals. No concern was expressed over contract approvals, just a need for all to exercise patience as the approval process proceeded. Following this administrative discussion, Kai, Angela and the committee walked the ground together looking at every aspect of the art that is being considered. We collectively agreed that multi-dimensional murals would be best, perhaps using various pieces of colored glass as the primary medium and the ability to light the murals at night. Additional mural locations were discussed but primary emphasis was placed on the two-story corners facing the facility parking lot and front entrance, each with three panels keeping both “Land to Sea” and “Mana” foremost at all times. After these discussions, the committee turned over the further administration of Kai’s commission to Kamakani and the initial development of artist envisioned renditions directly to Kai and Angela.

Development of fine art takes time. It simply cannot be hurried. Thus, we look very much forward to hearing from Kai and Angela again, but we will hear from them on their own timeline in concert with their professional artistic ideas. We will keep everyone posted as this art development process continues.

Please allow me to finish this article by expressing most special thanks to all DKA SVH ACC members for their dedication and diligent work, to SFCA staff for their tremendous support and to our own DKA SVH leadership group, including our Oahu Regional Healthcare System, HHSC, leadership, for their continued involvement and guidance in this unique work of art project!!!

– 2022 Winter Pūpūkahi pp. 4-5

Groundbreaking ceremony for state’s second State Veterans Home conducted on Memorial Day

State of Hawaii, Department of Defense, Public Affairs Office | Story by Jeff Hickman | Monday, May 31, 2021

KAPOLEI, HI – Gov. David Y. Ige, City and County of Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Maj. Gen. Kenneth S. Hara, State Adjutant General, family members of the late Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, a small number of community members, and a Veteran from each war era were on-hand to break ground for the new Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home (SVH) on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2021 at 10 a.m.

The ceremony included comments by the governor, Maj. Gen. Hara, the Akaka Family, a spokesperson from Nan Inc., and a groundbreaking ceremony and blessing performed by Kahu Kordell Kekoa and Kahu Danny Akaka, Jr.

Construction of this new 120-bed facility is scheduled to be completed in April The project was awarded a $44.7 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and appropriated $53.7 million in state funds for planning, design, construction, and equipment.

The facility will incorporate sustainable and energy efficient features such as: roof overhangs, sunshades, high performance glazing to reduce solar heat gain, energy efficient air conditioning system, desuperheaters for hot water heating, LED lights, occupancy sensors, reclaimed non-potable recycled irrigation water, and native, drought tolerant plants.

The Akaka SVH will offer skilled nursing and intermediate care facility beds to provide long-term care services plus geiatric mental health/dementia/ Alzheimer’s care, rehabilitation therapies, hospice, respite and adult day care. This Kapolei facility will target both long-term and short-term stay Veteran populations, eligible spouses and Gold Star parents.

The home will be open to all Veterans residing in the State of Hawaii. Approximately 85,000 Veterans reside on Oahu, and the construction of our second Hawaii State Veterans Home in Kapolei will offer closer proximity of care to the largest number of resident Veterans.

Hawaii will still be 53 beds short of the 268 total State Veterans Home beds needed for the state, but upon completion, the Akaka SVH will more than double the state’s current capacity

– 2021 Spring Pupukahi pp. 3

NASDVA Hosted 2022 Training Conference in Honolulu

AUG 14, 2022 (HONOLULU) – The National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) is hosted its annual training conference in Honolulu, HI, August 14-17. The conference’s highlighted and focused are sharing best practices, receiving updates from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), networking between member states and territories, and the installation of the association’s 2022-23 officers. Hawai‘i Governor David Ige welcomed attendees during the opening ceremony on August 15, 2022.

“We could not be more excited and honored to host the NASDVA 2022 Annual Training Conference in Hawai‘i!” said Hawai‘i Office of Veterans’ Services Director Ron Han. “It has been 23 years since Hawai‘i hosted a similar conference in 1999. Our conference theme of “Pupukahi i Holomua”—unite in order to progress— is a perfect focus and reflects the important collaboration and work that goes on every day with our federal, state, county and private partners to address the issues affecting our nation’s veterans and their loved ones. It also speaks to the incredible teamwork that happens, not just during these conferences as we exchange and share information and network, but more importantly, the work we do in our home states and US territories.”

At the association’s midwinter conference in February, eight states were awarded Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Awards by VA Secretary Denis McDonough for innovative programs implemented to prevent veteran suicide, improve veterans’ experience connecting with benefits, and more. The directors from those states will be presenting to the NASDVA membership on their programs, best practices, and lessons learned so those programs can potentially be implemented in other states and territories.

Senior VA officials, including VA Deputy Secretary Donald Remy, will be participating in the conference to brief NASDVA members on current and future VA initiatives and programs as well as receive feedback from the state and territory level. NASDVA members will hear updates from the Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration, Center for Women Veterans, National Cemetery Administration, Board of Veterans Appeals, Veterans Experience Office, and others.

“We are looking forward to another successful meeting with our federal partners and the private sector and non-profits engaged in veteran work who support our conference,” said NASDVA President and Texas Veterans Commission Executive Director Tom Palladino. “My goal as president has been to grow those relationships as well as continue the networking and teambuilding within the association’s membership. We have a very busy agenda in Hawai‘i and are looking forward to continuing the work we do to bring best practices and new ideas to each state and territory.”

Another highlight of the conference is collaboration between the states and territories, and the conference provides a unique opportunity for each state and territory to interface and discuss challenges and opportunities they see in serving veterans. In addition, the membership will vote on its new executive committee, who will be sworn in at the installation banquet on the final night of the conference.

NASDVA was established in 1947 and is the second largest provider of benefits behind the VA. Membership is made up of senior leadership from the veterans affairs departments or administrations of all fifty states and six territories. More information on the association is available at nasdva.us.

– 2022 Fall Pūpūkahi pp. 4

Office of Veterans’ Services New Kapolei Counseling Location

State of Hawai‘i, Office of Veteransʻ Services / Story by Jayme Nagamine

On April 8, 2024, the Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) opened the Daniel Kahikina Akaka Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) on Franklin D Roosevelt Ave in Kapolei. The Office of Veterans’ Services (OVS) has three counselor offices in the new Akaka VA CBOC. These counselors help with filing disability claims to the VA (initial, new, supplemental, increase, higher level review and appeals) advocate veterans concerns, counsel benefits, provide informational referrals and claims submission, and offer VA forms and appeals assistance.

To make an appointment with the counselors at the Akaka VA CBOC, please call 808-433-420. Once assigned a counselor, they will contact you to schedule an appointment. The Office Assistant can take care of the motor vehicle exemptions and provides the property tax forms, a program through the City & County. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and they are closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. The counselors are accepting Walk-Ins from Tuesday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The most senior counselor, Mrs. Melegalenuu “Mele” Sene-Whitehead, before working for OVS, she worked at U.S. VETS as a Case Manager for Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) assisting veterans at risk of losing their homes and dealing with homelessness. Born and raised on the island of American Samoa she graduated from the University of Hawai‘i in Hilo in Psychology. Her passion is helping people, especially veterans and their families as she is from a military family herself. Mele is the daughter of Vietnam War Veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and a spouse of a Retired U.S. Army Veteran.

Mrs. Carolyn Visoria is one of the Veterans’ Services Counselors. Prior to working for OVS, she spent four years at U.S. VETS Barber’s Point working as a Case Manager and Team Lead for SSVF. She graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa in Public Health in 2016 and spent seven years working at local nonprofits before joining the OVS team in 2023. As the daughter of an Army veteran, Carolyn is dedicated to serving veterans, their families, and the local community.

Mrs. Sabrina Kepa’a who is also a Veterans’ Services Counselor, has worked within state, federal, and non-profit organizations for over 20 years to help individuals and families become self-sufficient. During her previous role, she was an advocate assisting veterans with obtaining benefits, employment, and
permanent housing. Both of Sabrina’s grandfathers were veterans, and she believes every interaction, whether positive or negative, teaches valuable lessons, specifically spread kindness, as you never know what others are going through. Sabrina is deeply rooted by her faith, Hawaiian values and believes cherishing moments with loved ones is what truly matters.

The Daniel Kahikina Akaka VA CBOC was completed on budget and on time. The $130 million, 88,675 square-foot multi-specialty outpatient clinic will provide primary, mental health care, x-ray, laboratory and diagnostic services, pharmacy, and specialty care for Veterans on Oʻahu. There are an estimated 15,000 Veterans living on the west side of Oʻahu, for which this new clinic means easier access to VA care.

The new facility is part of a larger plan to expand services in the Pacific Islands. The Kona CBOC will also move to a larger location, and other clinics are seeing renovations or expansions across the islands.

If you would like to transfer your care from Spark Matsunaga Clinic, located at Tripler to the new Akaka VA CBOC in Kapolei, please call 1-800-214-1306.

– 2024 Spring Pūpūkahi pp. 3