What's Being Discussed

The Governor's State Advisory Board on Veterans Services will meet on Friday, August 7, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The meeting is held in person at Tripler Army Medical Center and also available online via Microsoft Teams or by phone.

Key topics include:

• Updates from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on benefits, healthcare programs, and upcoming events
• Status reports on the Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home (Hilo) and Daniel Kahikina Akaka State Veterans Home, including staffing and resident numbers
• Updates on state veterans facility and cemetery construction projects
• Reports from state agencies including the Departments of Health, Human Services, and Labor on programs serving veterans
• An update on Punchbowl (National Cemetery of the Pacific) construction and events
• Progress on the board's strategic goals, which include maintaining veteran memorials, filling vacant board seats, supporting veteran legislation, and strengthening veteran networks across the islands

Decisions Expected

• Approval of the meeting agenda
• Approval of minutes from the June 5, 2026 meeting
• Discussion of any new or ongoing business raised by board members

Who Should Pay Attention

• Hawaii veterans and their families interested in benefits, healthcare, and housing services
• Anyone concerned about the upkeep of veterans memorials across the state
• Veterans advocates and Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)
• Residents of Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii Island, as the board represents all islands

Public testimony is welcome. Written testimony should be submitted at least 48 hours before the meeting to ovs@hawaii.gov or by fax to (808) 433-0385.