What's Being Discussed

The Governor's State Advisory Board on Veterans Services will meet on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The meeting is held both in person at Tripler Army Medical Center and online via Microsoft Teams.

• Updates from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on benefits, healthcare programs, and upcoming events
• Operations updates from the Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home in Hilo and the Daniel Kahikina Akaka State Veterans Home, including staffing and resident numbers
• Status of state veterans facilities and cemetery construction projects
• Updates on Punchbowl (National Cemetery of the Pacific) construction and events
• Reports from state agencies including Health, Human Services, Labor, and Accounting and General Services on programs serving veterans
• Board member and committee reports, including legislative priorities and board bylaws
• Progress on strategic goals: maintaining veteran memorials, filling vacant board seats, supporting veteran legislation, and strengthening the statewide veteran network

Decisions Expected

• Approval of the meeting minutes from September 4, 2026
• Discussion and possible planning for an in-person strategic session in November
• Continued action on long-term board goals, including recruiting four vacant board members

Who Should Pay Attention

• Hawaii veterans and their families seeking updates on benefits, healthcare, and services
• Residents interested in the care of veterans homes on Oahu and the Big Island
• Anyone concerned about the upkeep of veterans memorials statewide
• Veterans service organizations (VSOs) and community advocates

Public testimony is welcome. Written testimony should be submitted at least 48 hours before the meeting to ovs@hawaii.gov.