MORE THAN 100,000 VETERANS MAKE HAWAII THEIR HOME.

MAKING IT ONE OF THE HIGHEST POPULATIONS OF VETERANS PER CAPITA IN THE NATION.

IS THE ALOHA STATE A VETERAN FRIENDLY STATE?

ARE THERE ENOUGH SERVICE IN FUNDING HERE IN HAWAII HELP THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED?

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FACING OFTEN NEGLECTED COMMUNITY?

TONIGHT, SPECIAL VETERANS DAY LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

¶¶ ¶¶ ON THIS VETERANS DAY HOLIDAY WE START BY SAYING THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SERVED OR ARE CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE U.S. MILITARY.

HAWAI’I IS HOME TO MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND VETERANS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS WITH EQUALLY DIVERSE ISSUES.

PTSD, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, SUBSTANCE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE, THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE ARE JUST A FEW OF THOSE ISSUES THAT MANY VETERANS DEAL WITH.

FUNDING AND RESOURCE ISSUES FOR RETIRED SERVICE MEMBERS CAN OFTEN COMPLICATE THESE CHALLENGES.

IS THE COUNTRY DOING ENOUGH FOR OUR SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN?

WHAT CAN EACH OF US IN THE COMMUNITY DO TO HELP OUR VETERANS?

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL US OR CALL US WITH YOUR QUESTIONS.

WE ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE CONVERSATION ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

DEBRA LEWIS IS A RETIRED ARMY COLONEL AND AMONG THE FIRST WOMEN TO GRADUATE FROM THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT.

SHE IS CURRENTLY THE COMMANDER OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS HAWAII WITH MEMBERS ACROSS HAWAII AND IN AMERICAN SAMOA.

ADAM ROBINSON IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE V. A.

(VETERANS AFFAIRS) PACIFIC ISLAND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

A NAVY VETERAN, DR. ROBINSON HAS MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A SENIOR LEADER IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM INCLUDING SERVING AS THE 36TH SURGEON GENERAL OF THE US NAVY.

RONALD HAN IS A RETIRED AIR FORCE COLONEL AND IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE OFFICE OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

HE IS ALSO A BOARD TRUSTEE AND THE VICE CHAIR FOR THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR THE HAWAII VETERANS MEMORIAL FUND, AND A MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TASK FORCE FOR STUDENT VETERANS.

SERGIO CHAO IS A VETERAN OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY AND IS CURRENTLY THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONOLULU VETERANS AFFAIRS REGINAL OFFICE.

HE OVERSEES THE ADMINISTRATION OF FEDERAL BENEFITS TO THE MORE THAN 39,000 VETERANS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS IN HIS REGION.

START OFF BY THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE IN THE MILITARY AND CONTINUING SERVICE TO VETERANS HERE IN THIS STATE.

START OFF DEB, WITH YOU.

HUNDRED THOUSAND VETERANS IS A LOT.

THAT MEANS 900,000 PEOPLE AREN'T VETERANS IN THIS STATE.

TELL US COULD YOU JUST HELP US DEFINE WHAT SAY VETERAN WHEN IT COMES TO SERVICE AND WHAT IS A VETERAN WHEN IT COMES TO BENEFITS THAT THEY MIGHT BE ENTITLED TO?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT ANYONE SERVED ESPECIALLY ON VETERANS, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE HONORING TODAY, ANYONE SERVED IN UNIFORM.

WHETHER THAT IS FOR JUST MINIMUM TOUR, COUPLE OF YEARS OR LIFETIME OF SERVICE, SOME PEOPLE HAVE DONE OVER 40 YEARS.

I DID 34.

WHEN YOU HAVE WORN THE UNIFORM AND YOU SWORE TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND DEFEND IT YOUR LIFE IF NECESSARY.

DIFFERENT STORY.

IF YOU WANT ME GO INTO THAT, I CAN.

OTHER GENTLEMEN WHO ARE HERE, VERY VERSED IN THAT.

IDEA IS I INSPECTOR GENERAL.

DEPENDS WHAT BENEFITS AND ASK TO BE CERTAIN QUESTIONS.

NOT A GIVEN BUT VERY HAPPY FOR THE COMMUNITY, SUCH AS MCDONALD'S AN OTHER PLACES HOME DEPOT CONSTANTLY GIVING US BENEFITS EACH DAY FOR VETERANS SERVED IN UNIFORM.

>>Daryl: BENEFITS THAT MOST PEOPLE WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH IT, WE THINK OF AS MEDICAL BENEFITS.

WHAT IS THE PROMISE THAT THIS COUNTRY MAKES TO SERVICE PEOPLE WHO ARE HURT, WHO ARE HARMED IN WAR?

WHAT IS THE PROMISE OUR COUNTRY MAKES TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES IF THAT TERRIBLE THING HAPPENS?

>> SO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME THIS EVENING.

I THINK VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION IS TAKEN FROM THE LINCOLN 1864 INAUGURAL ADDRESS WHEN HE SAID THAT WE WOULD MAKE SURE THAT WE TAKE CARE OF THE WIDOW, ORPHAN AND MEN AN WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN WOUND AND WHO HAVE BOTH PHYSICAL, SEEN INJURIES OF WAR, NOW, WE CAN SEE THE UNSEEN INJURIES OF WAR, THOSE UNSEEN INJURIES THAT CAUSE PSYCHOLOGICAL MORAL, SPIRITUAL, DAMAGE TO OUR VETERANS WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE THERE FULL TIME TO HONOR THEM AND ALSO, TO CARE FOR THEM.

>>Daryl: THAT'S BEEN A REALLY EVOLVING CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT BECAUSE I REMEMBER COVERING THE AGENT ORANGE ISSUE.

WHERE PEOPLE WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT MILITARY WAS SAYING WELL, NO, RESIST THE THAT.

IS THE MILITARY BETTER VA BETTER NOW RECOGNIZING EARLY ON THAT THERE MIGHT BE PROBLEMS THAT THEY AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH?

>> I COULD ONLY TELL YOU THAT IT IS EVOLVING ADMINISTRATION AND THIS IS BOTH FOR VHA, VETERANS HEALTH BUT ALSO VETERANS BENEFITS.

WE MUST CONSTANTLY BE ON THE ALERT, AWARE OF NEW AND EVOLVING CONDITIONS AND PROBLEMS THAT MAY BE OCCURRING WITH OUR VETERANS.

I THINK THAT I'LL JUST REFERENCE ONE THING.

QUICKLY.

1946, BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES.

AN ACADEMY AWARD WINNING MOVIE.

THAT MOVIE IF YOU HAVE SEEN IT, DISCUSSES BOTH VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE INJURIES OF WAR BUT NO ONE DESCENDED AT THAT TIME.

SO THESE ARE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN KNOWN FOR THE LAST CENTURY BUT WE'RE NOW BEGINNING TO TALK ABOUT IT OPENLY AND TELL PEOPLE THAT IF THEY'RE HAVING ISSUES THAT, AND EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN IN COMBAT OR SERVED IN WAR ZONE, HAS INJURY OR HAS SOME HARM THAT MAY HAVE OCCURRED WITH THEM.

SO WE'RE GETTING MUCH BETTER AT OPENING THE APERTURE OF WHAT WE UNDERSTAND AS INJURY AND ALSO, MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WHO MAY HAVE SUFFERED.

>>Daryl: YOU HANDLED BENEFITS SIDE.

THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS SIDE.

WHAT KIND OF, COULD YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND, IS IT LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT, RETIREMENT, MILITARY RETIREMENT, WE MANY OF US KNOW MILITARY RETIREES.

WHO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HE TRYER EARLY ENOUGH THEY'RE NOW DOING SECOND CAREER THAT SORT OF THING.

WHO IS ENTITLED TO CONTINUING FINANCIAL SUPPORT AFTER THEY LEAVE THE MILITARY?

IS IT JUST RETIREES OR ARE THERE OTHER PEOPLE SHORT OF RETIREMENT WHO ARE ENTITLED TO THAT KIND OF BENEFITS?

>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TONIGHT.

IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW LONG YOU SERVED.

ACTIVE DUTY.

IF YOU WERE INCURRED INJURY OR DISEASE WHILE WERE YOU ON ACTIVE DUTY.

YOU WERE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION BENEFITS.

>> DEPEND WHAT BENEFITS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

COMPENSATION IS BREAD AND BUTTER.

COMPENSATION MONETARY BENEFITS.

>> FOR INJURY OR DISEASE INCURRED WHILE ACTIVE DUTY, INCLUDES DR. ROBINSON WAS SAYING, UNSEEN CONDITIONS MENTAL DISABILITY.

HOW LONG YOU SERVED.

VETERANS ARE ENTITLED.

TO ME, ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THAT I SEE IS THE NEED FOR EDUCATION.

EDUCATING OUR SOLDIERS, PUBLIC, AS TO WHAT IS OUT THERE, WHO IS ENTITLED TO IT, IT CAN BE SOURCE OF MUCH FRUSTRATION IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING.

BACK TO KIND OF THE QUESTION YOU ASKED ADAM EARLIER, IN THE 22 YEARS I'VE BEEN WITH THE VA, SEEN A HUGE SHIFT.

CAN I ONLY TELL YOU PERSONALLY MY SERVICE, I WAS DISCHARGED IN '96.

MY SERVICE, BECAUSE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES I GOT OUT, DEPLOYED LAST 8 MONTHS.

TIME GO BACK TO GET MY WEAPON, COME BACK TO THE U.S. NEVER HAD ANY BRIEFING, AS TO VA BENEFITS.

DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT VA UNTIL A COUPLE OF YEARS LATE THAT ARE I LEARNED ABOUT IT.

NOW, THIS YEAR, I MEAN, NOWADAYS, I FEEL STRONGLY, I DON'T KNOW HOW THE OTHER GENTLEMEN HERE FEEL ABOUT IT AND LADY, I BELIEVE OUR CURRENT GENERATION SOLDIERS DEFINITELY KNOWS MORE ABOUT VA BENEFITS ON THEIR WAY OUT TRANSITIONING THAN SOME.

SOLDIERS WERE WAY BEFORE US.

WHAT THEY KNEW ABOUT IT.

I THINK IT'S ALSO HAS DO WITH THE BRIEFING THEY'RE REQUIRED DO AS GET OUT OF THE MILITARY.

PLUS, IT'S SO KNOWN FOR YOU, RIGHT?

MEDIA HAS MADE IT SO MUCH MORE WIDELY KNOWN, AND BUT I THINK EDUCATION IS A HUGE THING FOR OUR VETERANS.

>>Daryl: RONALD, FOR THE STATE OFFICE, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE POPULATION OF VETERANS HERE IN HAWAII.

WE ALL KNOW OF COURSE ABOUT THE EXPLOITS OF THE 442 AND 100TH BATTALION.

MOST OF THEM, BY NOW, VERY FEW OF THEM LEFT.

BUT WE HAD KOREA.

VIETNAM.

WE HAD IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN.

WHAT IS OUR MAKE UP OF VETERAN IN HAWAII NOW THAT HUGE NUMBER, 100,000?

>> AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS PANEL TOGETHER ESPECIALLY ON THIS SPECIAL DAY.

100,000 NUMBER, ONE THE THINGS THAT I APPRECIATE HEARING FROM MY COLLEAGUES, I LIKE WHAT DEB SAID ABOUT THE ACTUAL DEFINITION OF VETERAN, PUT ON THAT UNIFORM AND SERVE THEIR COUNTRY, THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH NOW DIVERSITY IN THE RANKS.

RESERVE COMMISSION GOT REGULAR COMMISSION, PART OF THE NATIONAL GUARD, ALL THAT TIME ON ACTIVE DUTY.

WHAT CREATED A LOT OF FOLKS NATIONAL GUARD ARE ALWAYS FIRST TO FIGHT NOW.

THEY'VE BEEN MULTIPLE DEPLOYMENTS.

RESERVED MULTIPLE DEPLOYMENTS.

ALMOST COLORLESS NOW.

AS TO WHEN VETERAN COMES IN.

NOW, NO TWO VETERANS ALIKE.

EACH HAVE SEPARATE TIME OF BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS.

HAVE TO BE WORKED IN A VERY CARING AND VERY FORTHRIGHT WAY TO BE ABLE TO NAVIGATE, HELP THEM NAVIGATE TO THE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE.

SO HAWAII REILLY IS NO DIFFERENT.

WHEN YOU ADD IN ALL THE 50,000 ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERS THAT ARE HERE, EVERY SERVICE COMPONENT, ALL VETERANS OR WILL BE VETERANS, GOT ABOUT 60,000 NATIONAL GUARD RESERVE ADVICES IN ADDITION TO THE RETIREES, HUGE POPULOUS OUT THERE.

THEN YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE TRANS GENERATIONAL YOU MENTION.

VETERANS.

GREATEST GENERATION, FINALLY GETTING NEW RECOGNITION.

THINK ABOUT IT.

ALMOST 8 YEARS LATER.

CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL FOR FILIPINO VETERANS.

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL CHINESE VETERANS.

NISEI.

80 YEARS LATER, JUST INCREDIBLE.

THEY ARE THE ONES THAT HELPED US TO HAVE ALL THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE HERE TODAY.

BEEN SO MANY TREMENDOUS SACRIFICES FOR ALL OF US, IN THE GULF WAR, ERA, WE WERE ABLE TO STAND ON THEIR SHOULDERS, OUR KOREAN WAR VETERANS, VIETNAM WAR VETS, WAR 2 VETS.

HAD A LOT MORE TEACHERS.

FOR THIS PANEL, WE WANT TO MAKE IT READY AND BETTER SO THAT NEXT GENERATION THAT'S ALREADY SERVING TODAY.

>>Daryl: LET ME ASK DEB, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES NOW?

YOU REPRESENT THESE VETERANS.

I IMAGINE YOU HELP A LOT OF THEM TRY TO ACCESS AND UNDERSTAND THEIR BENEFITS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE THESE DAYS?

IS IT THE EXTREME AGE OF MANY VETERANS?

THAT KIND OF CARE?

OR MORE THESE OTHER TRAUMAS THAT THEY ENDURED IN MULTIPLE DEPLOYMENTS?

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BIGGEST OF THOSE PROBLEMS AND THINGS THAT PUBLIC PROBABLY DOESN'T KNOW THAT'S OUT THERE?

>> I THINK ONE OF BIGGEST PROBLEMS IS WHATEVER NEED IS, IS PUBLIC DOESN'T REALLY KNOW HOW EASY IT IS TO HELP.

WE ARE COMMUNITY.

ALL OF US ARE COMPLIMENTARY AND HELPING EACH OTHER.

WE HAVE STATE ORGANIZATIONS.

WE HAVE FEDERAL ORGANIZATIONS.

AND WE REPRESENT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT WAS ACTUALLY APPROVED BY CONGRESS.

SO WE HAVE LITTLE, NOT A 501C3.

I THINK WE'RE 501C3, 18 OR 19.

THE ISSUE IS THEY HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO CAN SPEAK FOR THEM INTERPRET FOR THEM AND WE HAVE VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT WE OFFER SOMETIMES TO NAVIGATE THEIR BENEFITS, SOMETIMES TO JUST BE A PERSON TO TALK TO BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT BE COMFORTABLE TALKING TO SOMEONE WHO HASN'T SERVED IN THE MILITARY.

WE TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN STEER THEM AND HELP THEM NAVIGATE THAT DIFFICULT SYSTEM THAT YOU HEARD RON TALK ABOUT.

IT IS A CHALLENGE BUT THE IDEA IS PEOPLE CAN HELP EACH OF THESE VETERANS IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND HOW CAN THEY BE HELPED, BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, I THINK TODAY, IS VETERANS ARE VICTIMS.

VETERANS CAN BE EMPOWERED.

THEY HOW KNOW HOW TO SERVE.

THEY'VE GONE IN THAT ROLE BEFORE.

WE WANT TO EMPOWER THEM TO BE ABLE TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES, HAVE A QUALITY OF LIFE, AN BE SUPPORTIVE.

WE LOVE THE FACT THAT WE SAY WE DO MORE FOR VETERANS EVERY DAY.

AND THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE SERVICE OFFICERS WHO DIRECT THEM IN THE CHANNELS.

YOU'RE NOT, THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT SERVICE.

OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE PLEASE TELL YOUR AUDIENCE THEY DON'T ARE TO PAY FOR SOMEONE WHO DESCRIBE WHAT THEIR BENEFITS R PEOPLE WILL SAY THAT.

DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY.

YOU NEED PROPERLY TRAINED PEOPLE.

THAT IS, THERE'S A LOT OF MISS OUT THERE AS WELL.

AS THE FINAL POINT I WANT TO MAKE.

SOMETIMES VETERANS SAY, WELL, I DON'T DESERVE IT.

SOMEBODY ELSE NEED IT IS MORE THAN ME.

OR MAYBE ONE OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS, THEY'RE TRYING TO TAKE OUR MONEY.

OR KEEP IT FROM ME.

THOSE ARE ALL MISS.

WE WERE WORKING HARD TO TRY TO SUPPORT THIS TEAM THAT YOU SEE IN FRONT OF YOU.

I'M SO BLESSED TO BE A PART OF THIS GROUP.

WE ARE ALL TRYING TO WORK TOGETHER TO MEET EXACTLY WHAT YOU'VE ASKED ABOUT.

WHAT IS THE GREATEST PROBLEM IS WE ALL MUST WORK TOGETHER IN ORDER TO SUPPORT EACH VETERANS DIFFERENT NEEDS.

>>Daryl: YOU MADE AN INTERESTING COMMENT FEW MINUTES AGO.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE I HEARD THIS CORRECTLY.

DID YOU SAY THAT EVERY PERSON WHO SERVED AND GONE INTO COMBAT HAS BEEN INJURED IN SOME WAY OR ANOTHER?

I GUESS PEOPLE SUPPORTING THEM.

THAT'S VERY POWERFUL STATEMENT.

BECAUSE THERE IS THIS RESPONSIBILITY THAT THE REST OF US HAVE TO SUPPORT THEM, WHO HAVE BEEN INJURED.

IS THAT A NEW UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU CANNOT GO INTO COMBAT AND NOT BE INJURED IN SOME WAY EITHER PSYCHOLOGICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, OR PHYSICALLY?

>> I THINK THAT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE.

I CAN TELL YOU AS A PHYSICIAN AND SOMEONE SPENT 34 YEARS ON ACTIVE DUTY IN THE MILITARY, IN THE NAVY, AND PSYCHOLOGIST AND PSYCHIATRISTS AND PHYSICIANS THAT WE SENT IN TO AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ, AND INTO THE DIFFERENT TRAUMA HOSPITALS, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS BOOKS AND STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN DONE THAT PROVE, QUITE CONCLUSIVELY FROM MY POINT OF VIEW THAT ANYONE WOULD GETS INTO A WAR SITUATION, COMBAT SITUATION, HAS INALTERABLE EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT.

IN FACT, I WOULD SUGGEST THEY HAVE HAD A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE AND FROM THAT, CAN DEVELOP OTHER TYPES OF SYNDROMES.

SUCH AS POST TRAUMATIC STRESS.

NOT SAYING EVERYONE THERE HAS IT.

WE HAVE VERY OFTEN NEGLECTED TO RECOGNIZE THAT MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN IN WAR AND BEEN IN TERRIBLY CHAOTIC AND DESTRUCTIVE SITUATIONS, AREN'T AFFECTED.

BECAUSE THAT, NEGLECTED TO CARE FOR THEM.

NEGLECTED TO UNDERSTAND IT'S NOT SOMETHING COME BACK AND SHAKE OFF.

STOP THINKING ABOUT IT.

>> DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY.

YOUR MIND DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY.

I WOULD LIKE ALSO TO MAKE A QUICK COMMENT.

I LOVE THAT GROUP WE'RE WITH.

I TOO AM BLESSED TO BE WITH THIS GROUP AND BLESSED TO BE IN THE VA. OUR VETERANS NEED TO NOT THINK THAT THEY ARE NOT, THEY DO NOT QUALIFY FOR CARE.

PLEASE CALL AND ASK.

YOU MUST ASK THE QUESTION AND DO NOT ASSUME THAT YOU'RE NOT QUALIFIED FOR CARE.

OR YOU'RE BETTER OFF THAN MOST, WHY SHOULD I GET THAT?

ALL OF US HAVE NEEDS AND THE VA, AS AN EXAMPLE, VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS AND ALSO RON HANS, HAWAII VETERANS GROUP.

WE ARE ALL HERE TO HELP.

ONE MUST REACH OUT IF WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE, OF COURSE WE'LL CALL YOU.

BUT IF WE DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE, PLEASE CALL US.

WE CAN HELP YOU.

AND AGAIN, IT'S FREE.

THERE'S NOTHING WE'RE ASKING EXCEPT TO BE ABLE TO SIT WITH YOU AND TALK WITH YOU AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP YOU AND IF YOU'RE NOT INTERGREATED BACK INTO YOUR COMMUNITY, APPROPRIATELY, WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO.

>>Daryl: THERE'S SO MANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU GUYS ARE PROVOKING IN MY HEAD.

APPRECIATE IT.

EXPLORE MANY OF THESE THINGS FURTHER.

TWO QUESTION A ROW GREAT TRAGEDY IN THIS COUNTRY.

VETERANS HOMELESSNESS.

BEGIN HOMELESS CRISIS, A LOT OF VERY HIGH LEVEL PREDICTIONS THAT THIS WAS, THIS WAS AT LEAST ONE ASPECT OF HOMELESSNESS THAT COULD BE CONQUERED.

REPRESENTING HAWAII VETERANS IN PARTICULAR, QUESTION OF ELLIE FROM NANAKULI.

GIVEN SO MANY VETERANS ARE HOMELESS, WHAT IS THE VA DOING FOR THEM.

MARK IN KAILUA, HOW DOES A HOMELESS VET GET HELP?

WHERE DO THEY START IN.

>> INTERESTING.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTIONS OUT THERE.

I THINK I'VE BEEN IN THIS JAB SINCE 2011.

AND THE NUMBERS WERE FAIRLY HIGH.

AS FAR AS VETERANS ON THE STREET.

BACK IN 2015, NUMBERS WERE STILL, COME DOWN JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE.

TO WHAT WE'RE AT TODAY.

2015, TO 2021.

>> BEEN ABOUT 25% REDUCTION IN OUR HOMELESS VETERANS.

MOST OF THEM ARE NOW IN SHELTERS.

AND WE'RE STILL WORK ON THE UNSHELTERED ONES.

THERE IS A LOT OF PARTNERS OF CARE, COMMUNITY CARE NETWORKS OUT THERE.

THAT ARE VERY, VERY SUPPORTIVE.

GREAT DEAL OF RESPECT FOR THE VETERANS.

VETERANS HAVE TO BE WILLING TO RECEIVE THE HELP.

I HAVE SEEN, IN PERSON, SERGIO CHAU AND DR. ROBINSON' PEOPLE GO OUT WITH OUR PEOPLE ON THE STREETS AND MEET WITH VETERANS ONE ON ONE, AND BE ABLE TO SAY, WE NEED DO THESE THINGS FOR YOU.

I'VE ACTUALLY SEEN SOME OF THE VETERANS PUSH BACK BECAUSE OF THEIR WAY OF LIVING, THE WHAT THEY'RE USED TO, AND SO THERE ARE SO MANY PROGRAMS THAT THE VA OFFERS.

VA HUD VASH PROGRAM.

PUT UP VETERANS AND WONDERFUL APARTMENTS.

HOUSING FIRST INITIATIVE TO GET THEM OFF THE STREET.

PROVIDE WRAPAROUND SERVICE.

U.S. VETS PRIVATE NONPROFIT THAT IS OUT THERE.

THAT OFFERS SO MANY GREAT OPPORTUNITIES.

EVEN FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

I MEAN, THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON WHY OUR VETERANS SHOULD BE ON THE STREET.

UNLESS THEY CHOOSE TO BE OUT THERE.

AGAIN UNDERSTANDING SENSITIVITIES OF THAT.

JUST KEEP WORKING ON IT.

IT'S EVERYBODY'S RESPONSIBILITY.

NOT A STATE RESPONSIBILITY.

IT'S NOT A VA RESPONSIBILITY.

IT'S NOT A VSO RESPONSIBILITY.

>> ENTIRE COMMUNITY THAT NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THAT AND WORK THAT WAY.

>>Daryl: THANKS, RON, FOR MENTIONING THAT.

WHAT IS THAT CONVERSATION LIKE?

FACE TO FACE WITH A VETERAN ON THE STREET WHO MAYBE RESISTANT OR ALONG WITH THAT QUESTION, IS THERE A PLACE FOR EVERYONE OF THOSE VETERANS TO LIVE IF YOU COULD GET THEM TO ACCEPT IT?

>> I DON'T KNOW, I CAN ANSWER SECOND ONE.

IS THERE A PLACE FOR THEM TO LIVE?

WHAT I TRY TO DO, BENEFITS SIDE, TRY TO PUT MONEY IN THEIR HANDS.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

WHETHER IT'S COMPENSATION, PENSION, PUT MONEY IN THEIR HANDS.

NOW, HOW FAR THAT MONEY GOES IN HAWAII, VERSUS OTHER PARTS OF COUNTRY, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT OUR ROLE IS DO THAT.

WORK REALLY CLOSE WITH ADAM ROBINSON' TEAM.

THEY TAKE CARE OF THE MEDICAL SIDE ASPECT AND HUD VASH.

RON WAS SAYING, BUT LIKE RON SAID, EVERYONE PLAYS INTEGRAL PART.

YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND.

WE'RE NOT ALSO EVERY SINGLE ISLAND OR AT LEAST BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION.

WE HAVE ONE OFFICE HERE IN HONOLULU.

MAIN HUB.

BUT ALSO, ONLY HAVE EMPLOYEES IN MAUI AND HILO.

WHEN IT COMES TO HAWAII.

LANAI, MOLOKAI, AND KAUAI DEPEND ON US TRAVELING TO MEET WITH THOSE VETERANS.

NEED FOLKS ON THE GROUND THERE, DEB, RON'S TEAM.

HELPS.

FORCE OUR MULTIPLIER.

REACH BACK TO US.

WE NEED HELP.

WHAT WE FOUND.

>> SEE WHAT CAN DO FOR THEM.

THAT COLLABORATION SO, SO IMPORTANT.

THAT YOU NEED TO HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY IN ORDER FOR US TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>>Daryl: ADAM, YOU WANTED TO ADD SOMETHING TO THAT?

>> I DID.

EVERYONE IS RIGHT ON POINT WITH THIS.

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION HAS A VERY ROBUST HOMELESS VETERANS PROGRAM.

WE HAVE THE SAME THAT OCCURS HERE.

JUST A COUPLE OF POINTS, EVERYONE ALREADY POINTED THIS OUT.

EVERYONE WHO IS HOMELESS DOESN'T NECESSARILY WANT TO RECEIVE THE HELP OR CARE.

AND THEY HAVE TO WANT TO DO THAT BECAUSE WE CAN'T MAKE THEM RECEIVE THE CARE.

MAJOR MENTAL HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGICAL, EMOTIONAL COMPONENT WITH MANY HOMELESS.

NOT WITH ALL, BUT WITH MANY.

THAT HAS TO BE UNDERSTOOD.

BUT JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALSO UNDERSTAND, WE ARE CONNECTED WITH THE HOMELESS TASK FORCE HERE IN HONOLULU, WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY $1.4 MILLION IN GRANTS TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS AND THAT IS HUD VASH VOUCHERS.

>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP WITH HOMELESS VETERANS.

IF THERE ARE PLACE FOR EVERY HOMELESS VETERAN ON THE STREET.

I'M GOING TO SAY YES.

BECAUSE THERE IS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING OR SOME SORT OF HOUSING WE COULD GET MOST EVERY HOMELESS VETERAN IN IF THEY WOULD ACCEPT IT.

THE KEY WITH HOMELESS VETERANS IS THE NOT JUST HOUSING.

YOU NEED TO HELP THEM RE ESTABLISH THEIR LIFE IN THIS REGARD.

MOST NEED TO HAVE IDENTIFICATION.

THEY NEED TO HAVE DRIVER'S LICENSES.

THEY NEED TO HAVE AN ADDRESS.

MAY NEED TO RE ESTABLISH FINANCIAL BANK ACCOUNT.

FINANCIAL SYSTEM ONE SORT OR ANOTHER.

AND THIS IS A PROCESS THAT OUR MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS SOCIAL WORKERS DEAL WITH.

IT'S COMPLEX.

IT'S VERY SUCCESSFUL.

VA HAS DONE A GREAT JOB ACROSS UNITED STATES.

AND I THINK THAT WE DO A GOOD JOB HERE.

THERE IS NO JOB THAT WE'RE DOING THAT CANNOT BE IMPROVED AND THERE NOT EVERY VETERAN WE HAVE REACHED AND BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITH.

I WOULD SAY IN TOTAL, WE ARE REDUCING VETERAN HOMELESSNESS AND WE ARE GETTING INTO A POINT WHERE WE REALLY HAVE ASSETS, PEOPLE, AND HELP AVAILABLE.

COMMUNITY EFFORT NOT JUST A VA COMMUNITY.

TAKES WHOLE OF THE COMMUNITY TO WORK WITH US.

>>Daryl: WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON HOMELESS VETERANS ISSUE?

I KNOW THAT'S KIND OF A SHAME THAT WE END UP HAVING TO TALK SO MUCH ABOUT THIS.

NOBODY WANTS TO HAVE A LABEL STUCK ON THEM THAT SAYS, I'M A HOMELESS BECAUSE I'M A VETERAN.

OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

WHAT KIND OF THINGS ARE HAPPENING DO YOU THINK IN THE HOMELESS ISSUE THAT ARE EITHER MAKING PROGRESS OR JUST MUCH TOUGHER SLOG THAN WE THOUGHT.

>> IF I MAY ANSWER THIS QUESTION KIND OF COMPLIMENTING HOW THE OTHER ADDRESSED IT.

COMPLEX ISSUE.

SOUND LIKE YOU JUST NEED SHELTER.

NOT THE ONLY ANSWER.

ASSISTIVE CARE TO SISTER, GOT A FLIGHT TO GET HIM THERE.

COORDINATED IN THE VA SYSTEM THEN CAME BACK AND HE'S LIVING IN A TERRIBLE HOLE.

I JUST GOT WORD ON THAT.

AND WE HAVE A PROGRAM DO IT.

SO WE HAVE TO GET BEYOND SAYING ONE SIZE FITS ALL.

AND THE COMMUNITY EFFORT IS REALLY JUST THAT.

WE HAVE HAD VETERANS AS NONPROFIT GROUP, WE CAN ACTUALLY GO WHERE PEOPLE LIVE.

WE DO THAT.

AND THEY HAVE SOME SPECIAL PROGRAMS THAT DO THAT.

I KNOW VETERAN AND THE FAMILY, THEY HAD TO LEAVE HAWAII QUICKLY AND YOU KNOW THEY SELL THEIR HOUSE AND GET RID OF THE CONTENTS IMMEDIATELYMENT WHO WOULD YOU TRUST?

THEY CAME AND THEY TURNED TO OUR AUXILIARY WHICH IS THE FAMILIES OF VETERANS.

AND THEY MADE THAT HAPPEN.

I GUESS IN ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION, I JUST WOULD SAY, IT IS A COMMUNITY EFFORT.

PLEASE LOOK FOR THOSE VETERANS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS.

IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

YOU CAN WORK THE SYSTEM FOR WHAT YOU'RE AUTHORIZED.

BUT JUST LIBRARY THE VETERANS TREATMENT COURT, IF YOU HEARD ABOUT THAT SYSTEM, YOU FIND THAT VETERANS, YOU KNOW, IF THEY'RE STRUGGLING AND THEY HAVE MENTAL ISSUES, TURN TO SOMETHING THAT DRUGS OR ALCOHOL OR WHATEVER, OR ACCIDENT AND THINGS, GET INTO THE COURT SYSTEM, BUT WHAT WE'VE DISCOVERED IS THAT WHEN YOU PROVIDE A NETWORK TO SUPPORT THEM, THEY ARE THE FASTEST ONES ABLE TO GET BACK ON TRACK BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY, THEY HAVE HOLISTIC APPROACH.

HAS TO BE FOR THAT VETERAN.

WE WILL CONTINUE THE TEAM THAT YOU SEE HERE, WILL CONTINUE TO WORK THAT.

>> BUT UNLESS WE'RE SUPPORTED, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

I HAD LAST POINT, I HAD OVER 100 VETERANS DISPLACED BECAUSE OF LAVA FLOW.

OVER 100.

SOME OF THE SUPPORT THAT CAME IN WAS DELAYED AND OTHER THINGS.

>> WE HAVE WHAT'S CALLED UNMET NEEDS FUND WHERE WE'VE HAD MANY SPONSORS DONATE GENEROUSLY.

THEY FURNISHED US $25,000 IMMEDIATELY IN THE TEAM FROM HAWAII, DEPARTMENT CAME OVER TO US AND THEN OTHER POSTS AROUND THE NATION.

ALMOST 6,000 POSTS ACROSS THE NATION.

DONATED MONEY TO HAND VETERANS IMMEDIATELY SOME RELIEF.

EVEN JUST FOR GAS OR WHATEVER.

THEY LOST EVERYTHING.

COMMUNITY EFFORT.

I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE VETERANS AND FAMILIES TO SAY, JOIN A GROUP.

THAT CAN HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE SYSTEMS.

BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN THERE.

LIVED IT AND DONE IT.

I THINK THAT WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER, THERE'S NOT A SINGLE PROBLEM THAT CAN'T BE SOLVED.

>>Daryl: BROUGHT UPGRADE POINT.

NICE SEGUE TO ANOTHER THING.

AFTER TALKING ABOUT ISSUES THAT VETERANS FACE.

PART OF THAT DISCUSSION SHOULD INCLUDE FAMILIES OF VETERANS WHO IN MANY WAYS DESERVE OUR THANKS FOR THEIR SERVICE.

FOLLOWING INSIGHTS, DOCUMENTARY CALLED SKY BLOSSOM DIARIES OF THE NEXT GREATEST GENERATION.

ABOUT YOUNG CAREGIVERS HELPING FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE VETERANS.

INCLUDING FAMILY ON KAUAI.

>> I'M KAMAILE.

KAPANUI.

26 YEARS OLD.

AND GETTING KIND OF CRAZY WITH GRANDPA.

BECAUSE HE'S FORGETFUL.

HIS WORLD, THINGS ARE GOING DIFFERENTLY.

TAKE HIM OUTSIDE.

HE'S NOT ALLOWED IN HERE.

HELLO.

TRY NOT TO LEAVE HIM ALONE FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR.

NOT WORKING.

USUALLY HANGING OUT HERE.

LAST FALE TOOK SIX CLASSES.

THEN WORKED 40 HOURS ROUGHLY A WEEK.

>> I WAS AT WORK WHEN MY DAD CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE HIS LEG.

>> 40 SOME YEARS, HAD A RIGHT FOOT AND DRIVE TRUCK.

NOW, I CAN'T DO THAT.

THEY PUT ME ON DISABILITY.

JENNA WELCOMED IT WITH OPEN ARMS.

OKAY, DAD.

I'LL DO THE BEST I CAN TO HELP YOU OUT.

SHE MAKES ALL OF MY DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS.

MAKING SURE HE HAS MEDICINE.

>> SHE KNOWS MORE WHAT MEDICINES I TAKE THAN I DO.

>> 19 DIFFERENT PILLS ALONG WITH FOUR SHOTS OF INSULIN DAILY.

MY DAD TOOK CARE OF ME MY FIRST 18 YEARS.

THE LEAST I COULD DO IS STEP DOWN ON THE STEP AND LET HIM PUT HIS HAND ON MY SHOULDER.

>>Daryl: THAT PROGRAM SKY BLOSSOM.

DIARIES NEXT GREATEST GENERATION AIR RIGHT AFTER THIS SHOW ABOUT HALF AN HOUR ON PBS HAWAII.

SERGIO, AS BENEFITS GUY, YOU DID MENTION EARLIER WHEN WE WERE TALKING BEFORE THE SHOW ABOUT CAREGIVER PROGRAMS.

IS THERE HELP OUT THERE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY STEPPING UP AND TAKING CARE OF FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE FACING DEMENTIA, OR DISABILITIES, SEVERE DISABILITY.

WHAT IS THERE FOR THOSE FAMILIES?

>> SO I'M GOING TO HAVE TO DEFER THAT TO ADAM.

CAREGIVER PROGRAM FALLS UNDER THE HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.

I'M GOING TO LET HIM ADDRESS THAT.

WE DEFINITELY PROVIDE BENEFITS TO THE VETERANS THEMSELVES.

AS WELL AS IF THERE IS DEPENDENT THEY CAN AWARD, ADD THEM TO AWARD, 30 OR 40% DISABLED.

PAYING MONEY TO THEM AS WELL.

CHILDREN.

I BELIEVE WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO, WE JUST SAW ON THAT AD, IT'S CAREGIVER PROGRAM THAT ADAM'S TEAM MANAGES.

>>Daryl: CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT'S OUT THERE?

PEOPLE PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN VERY DIRECT WAY.

>> MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE CAREGIVERS TO OUR VETERANS, MOST OF THEM ARE FAMILY.

SOME ARE NOT.

IN THE CLIP YOU SHOW, WE ARE SUPPORT THEM AND HELP DEFER COSTS THAT THEY MAY INCUR AND I'M TALKING ABOUT ACTUALLY PAYMENTS TO THEM.

ADDITIONALLY, I THINK IN HEALTH CARE, THE CONTINUUM OF CARE IS WHAT HE LOOK AT CONSTANTLY.

SO IT'S NOT JUST THE PATIENT AND THE PROVIDER, WHOEVER THAT MAY BE.

THE NURSE OR THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST OR THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST.

IT'S ALSO THE CAREGIVER AT HOME.

YOU SAW THE DAUGHTERS WERE ACTUALLY DOING MORE OF THE CARE OF GIVING MEDICATION AND MAKING SURE THAT THEIR DADS AND VETERAN FATHER WRs SAFE.

THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO.

THAT'S WHAT WE SUPPORT ON THE CAREGIVERS SUPPORT PROGRAM.

COUPLE OF THINGS.

WHEN WE WERE GIVING BACK SCENES, INTERESTING PHENOMENA.

VERY IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE VETERANS.

WHEN WE WERE GIVING VACCINE.

COVID 19 VACCINES OR EVEN FLU VACCINES, WE'RE GIVING THOSE EXTENDING THOSE BENEFITS TO CAREGIVERS ALSO.

BECAUSE HOW CAN YOU KEEP THE VETERANS SAFE IF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CARING FOR THE VETERANS ISN'T SAFE?

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE RELATIVE AND WHOEVER THE CAREGIVER MAY BE.

WE NEED TO HELP THEM PAY FOR THE TIME THAT THEY ARE GIVING TO THE VETERANS AND WE ARE ACTUALLY SUPPLYING THAT.

WE HAVE A WHOLE HOST OF CAREGIVERS SUPPORT ACTIVITIES.

>> THE LAST THING I'LL SAY ON THIS, MULTITUDE.

VERY OFTEN VETERANS WILL APPLY FOR CAREGIVER SUPPORT THEN HAVE TO MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA FOR THAT.

I WILL SAY TO YOU THAT AS THE DIRECTOR, VA PACIFIC ISLANDS, I REALLY DO TRY TO BE VERY LIBERAL IN HOW I GIVE THAT CARE.

LET ME BE CAREFUL.

EVERYBODY CAN'T GET IT.

THERE ARE RULES AN REGS REGARDING IT.

BUT I THINK WHEN ONE CAN LOOK AT HOW THEY ARE CARING FOR OUR VETERANS AND THE TIME THAT THEY'RE PUTTING IN, AND THE SERVICES THAT THEY'RE PROVIDING, I THINK THAT THEY NEED TO BE COMPENSATE AND I'LL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT THEY ARE CARED FOR BECAUSE THAT IS ESSENTIAL TO THAT VETERAN'S SAFETY AND THEIR WELL BEING.

I THINK THIS IS JUST A CRITICAL PROBLEM.

VA THINKS CAREGIVERS SUPPORT CRITICAL PROBLEM.

>>Daryl: WE TALKED EARLIER ABOUT ELDERLY VETERANS.

WONDERING IF THAT SORT OF FITS INTO THAT SCENARIO.

MANY OF US ARE CARING FOR ELDERLY PARENTS.

BUT SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN DISABLED BY THEIR WAR INJURY OR BY THE MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES, IN HAWAII, HOW MUCH OF THAT IS YOUR CHALLENGE AS WELL?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

KIND OF PIGGYBACK OFF OF WHAT DR. ROBINSON WAS SAYING.

UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE CAREGIVER ROLE.

WHEN THEY COME INTO OUR OFFICES OR SERGIO OFFICE AND OTHER AREA, OFTENTIMES, OUR GENERATIONAL VETERANS THAT YOU SPEAK OF ARE COMING IN WITH SPOUSE A LOT OF TIMES A SON OR DAUGHTER.

SOMETIMES IT'S A GRANDDAUGHTER OR GRANDSON.

AND THEY COME IN.

VETERANS NOT SAY AT THAT AGE ARE COMPUTER LITERATE.

A LOT OF THEM ARE COMPUTE LITERATE.

COMING IN TO HELP THEM WITH DATA APPOINTS.

SO MANY GUY GOING TELECONFERENCE, TELECLAIMS.

THOSE RELATED THINGS, OFTENTIMES, GRANT THEM LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY.

ABLE TO SHARE SOME OF THE PRIVACY INFORMATION.

BUT IT'S THAT CAREGIVER, DOCTOR SPOKE OF, THAT IS ACTUALLY THAT CONDUIT TO BE ABLE TO HELP THAT VETERAN.

SUCCEED.

WE SEE THAT MORE OFTEN.

THAT'S WHY HATS OFF TO THE VA THINKING ABOUT THEM AS FAR AS VACCINES AND THE OTHER RELATED THINGS.

SERGIO AND THEM, ALSO HELP PROVIDED AND ATTENDANCE.

SOMETIMES CAREGIVER CAN'T, CAN'T FULFILL ALL THE NEEDS.

CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH.

DON'T HAVE THE MEDICAL EXPERTISE.

GOT TO BRING IN A NURSE OR SOMEONE ELSE.

SHOT OR SOMETHING ELSE IN THEIR NATURE.

COMPENSATION.

TO BE BRING IN A CARE PROVIDER WHERE RELIEF LITTLE BIT OF STRESS AND AMOUNT OF WORK THAT'S FAMILY MEMBER HAS TO GO THROUGH.

WE SEE THAT EVERY DAY.

IT'S SO GREAT TO SEE THE FAMILY.

WE ENCOURAGE THAT.

WE WANT TO SEE MORE OF THAT.

BECAUSE EVENTUALLY, IT HELPS THE VETERAN IN THE LONG RUN.

>>Daryl: DEB FROM VFW, HOW DO YOU SEE THE FAMILY DYNAMIC PLAYING OUT HERE?

IS THIS, BECAUSE I IMAGINE AS VETERANS GET OLDER.

WE SAW THAT GENTLEMAN FROM KAUAI.

I DON'T THINK HE WAS ALL THAT OLD.

IS THERE ENOUGH SUPPORT FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND AGAIN, WHO DO THEY TURN TO IF THEY FEEL THEY NEED HELP AND PERHAPS VETERAN THEY'RE HELPING ISN'T PLUGGED INTO THE SYSTEM WELL ENOUGH.

WELL THEY SHOULD HAVE A VETERAN CENTER TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE REGISTERED.

IF THE MEMBER IS NOT REGISTER WITH THE STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

NOT GOING TO SEE ANY BENEFITS AS A RESULT OF THAT.

ONCE YOU ARE, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, OUR VETERAN SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS ARE THERE TO HELP HOLD HANDS AND GET THERE.

TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE AWARE OF THE PROGRAM.

MY FATHER'S 95.

HE HAS THE CAREGIVER.

HE GETS SOME BENEFITS FROM VA FOR CAREGIVING BECAUSE HE IS DISABLED.

AND IF YOU HAVE THAT NETWORK, THERE IS A NETWORK THERE AND PEOPLE ARE AWARE AND IT IS TRICKY.

IT IS HARD TO DO SOMETIMES.

THERE CAN BE MANY STEPS.

BUT PEOPLE CAN HOLD YOUR HAND AND HELP MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THAT SUPPORT.

AND LIKE I SAID, WE CANNOT DISMISS THE FACT OF HAVING SOMEONE TO TALK TO ABOUT THE ISSUE.

THESE CAREGIVERS THAT YOU SHOWED, IT'S A TREMENDOUS STRESS ON THEIR LIVES.

AND MANY OF THEM, ADMIT THIS, HAVE I DO IT ALONE.

NO, THERE ARE PROBABLY PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY WHETHER IT'S YOUR CHURCH, OR VETERAN SUPPORT ORGANIZATION, OR OTHERS, BECAUSE SOMETIMES ALL YOU DO IS YOU NEED TO HAVE SOME TIME, SOME RELIEF.

TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN BE AT YOUR BEST WHEN YOU'RE BEING CHALLENGED FOR THE 100TH TIME.

GOAT IN THE HOUSE GOT TO TAKE IT OUT.

REPEATED PHRASES A MILLION TIMES YOU FINALLY GET TO LOSE IT.

THANK GOODNESS FOR ELIZABETH DOLE.

SHE REALLY IS THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN ON THE CAREGIVERS SIDE.

SHE IS THE ONE WHO REALLY PUT IT IN THE LIMELIGHT TO SAY HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.

THANK GOODNESS VA WAS ABLE TO STEP INTO THAT VOID AND START SUPPORTING IT.

I THINK THE LAST THING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, THERE ARE MANY PROGRAMS OUT THERE.

IF YOU DON'T ASK, YOU WON'T FIND OUT.

YOU BE SURPRISED HOW MUCH YOU CAN HELP.

HOW MUCH GRATITUDE YOU'LL FEEL BY HELPING OTHERS.

AND SO I JUST ASK PEOPLE GET INFORMED.

MAYBE YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE A COMPUTER BUT NEIGHBOR IS WILLING TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP YOU WITH THE COMPUTER, LOOK AT WATTS AVAILABLE.

WE HAVE VFW.ORG.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVE ON OUR WEBSITE.

BUT YOU WON'T KNOW UNLESS YOU HAVE ACCESS.

HAVING A PHONE IS NOT ENOUGH ANY MORE.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LINK TO THE INTERNET TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND AND START READING ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOUR VIEWERS, PLEASE, PLEASE, IF YOU KNOW A VETERAN, PLEASE REACH OUT AND HELP THEM AND MINIMUM KNOWING WHAT'S AVAILABLE.

>>Daryl: DO YOU WANTED TO CONTRIBUTE HERE?

>> I DID.

BECAUSE JUST SAID SOMETHING SO GOOD.

I WANTED TO SAY THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING CALLED RESPITE CARE FOR OUR CAREGIVERS.

AFTER THEY'VE BEEN ON DUTY AND EXACTLY RIGHT, IT'S A BURDEN.

IT CAN BE VERY HEAVY AND THEY NEED TO HAVE REST.

WE WILL HELP THEM GET THE REST.

WE WILL THEM PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR THAT AND GIVE THEM A BREAK FROM THEIR DUTIES.

>> ONLY WAY THEY CAN ACTUALLY CONTINUE TO DO THAT TYPE OF WORK.

THE OTHER THING IS VERY QUICKLY.

THIS HAPPENS TO BE NOVEMBER, NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH.

AND I JUST WANTED TO THROW THAT OUT.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE VA LOOKS AT CONSTANTLY.

AND LAST THING DEB SAID, SO TRUE, PLEASE ASK.

I JUST WISH PEOPLE WOULD WARRANTED CALL AND ASK, BECAUSE THERE'S HELP AND THEY SHOULDN'T ASSUME THAT DOESN'T MATTER, IT DOES MATTER.

WE CAN DO THAT.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>>Daryl: SERGIO, ALL OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IS TREMENDOUSLY, I DON'T MEAN TO BE CRASS.

EXPENSIVE.

ARE THERE RESOURCES SUFFICIENT ENOUGH FLOWING OUT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR FROM WHEREVER, TO SUPPORT THESE PROGRAMS OR IS THERE AN ONGOING STRUGGLE IN WASHINGTON OR EVEN LOCALLY OR JUST TO GET MONEY OUT OF THE SYSTEM?

IS THERE ENOUGH MONEY THERE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN IT COMES TO COMPENSATION, BENEFITS, THAT IS GUARANTEED.

WE NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT.

IS THERE ENOUGH MONEY FOR OUR VETERANS OR NOT.

AS YOU MENTIONED THAT, PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE.

AS OF OCTOBER 2021, WE'RE PAYING APPROXIMATELY $51.4 MILLION A MONTH TO VETERANS HERE IN HAWAII ONLY.

I SAY HAWAII.

OFFICE ALSO HAS JURISDICTION FOR VETERANS IN GUAM.

NORTH MARIANAS AMERICAN SAMOA.

TO PUT IT IN CONTEXT, SIZABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY GOING TO VETERANS AND ECONOMY.

WHEN IT COMES TO, IS THERE ENOUGH MONEY, THAT'S NOT EVEN A TALK.

WE'VE BEEN VERY WELL SUPPORTED BY CONGRESS.

NO.

LET ME ASK THIS.

UNMET NEEDS PURELY OUT OF THE OUTREACH, I WOULDN'T BLAME OUTREACH.

YOU GUYS ARE CLEARLY WORK ON OUTREACH.

CLEAR.

YOU'RE DEDICATED TO TRY TO HELP AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

VERY CLEAR.

I CONGRATULATE YOU FOR THAT.

AT THE SAME TIME SOME PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THEY'RE ELIGIBLE FOR SOMETHING.

WONDERING, SERGIO THIS, IS IT YES, HERE'S THIS 51 OR $52 MILLION A MONTH, WHAT IT?

YOU SAID?

BUT IS THERE ANOTHER 20 MILLION OUT THERE IN NEED THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN'T ASKING?

>> SO AS FAR AS THE MONEY, MONEY IS THERE.

WE NEED OUR VETERANS TO COME FORWARD.

WE NEED THEM TO COME AND SEEK HELP.

WE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH.

I MEAN, AGAIN, EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY PLAYING A PART.

AND RON AND DEB, ALL OF THOSE FOLKS ON THE GROUND.

VHS, SAME WAY.

WE ALL PLAY A PART IN TRYING TO EDUCATE OUR VETERANS AS TO WHAT IS OUT THERE.

HOW THEY GO.

VA.GOV.

SIMPLE WEBSITE.

LEARN ABOUT ANY BENEFITS YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT.

SOMEONE HAS TO BE WILLING TO, I'M NOT SAYING NOT COMPUTER SAVVY, NEED THAT HELP.

THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO.

AGAIN, WE NEED HELP TO COME.

COME AND ASK US WHAT YOU AREEN TIED TO.

DON'T TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT ENTITLED TO.

COME SEE US.

LET US WORK WITH YOU.

LOOK AT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

LET US MAKE THAT DECISION.

WE NEED THEM COME FORWARD.

>>Daryl: I'M GOING ASK THIS QUESTION OF DEB.

RIGHT IN YOUR SWEET SPOT.

ARE THERE PEER SUPPORT, JAMES IN KALIHI, PEER SUPPORT GROUPS FOR YOUNG VETERANS RETURNING FROM WAR IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

TODAY IS THE FIRST VETERANS DAY CELEBRATED IN DECADES.

WHERE WE DON'T HAVE AN ACTIVE MILITARY INVOLVEMENT OPTION.

IN FOREIGN COUNTRY.

WHERE DOES VETERAN FIND THESE PEER SUPPORT GROUPS OR OTHER SUPPORT GROUPS?

HOW DO PEOPLE REACH OUT AND FIND THAT?

>> THERE ARE SO MANY VETERAN SUPPORT GROUPS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

THAT CAN HELP THEM.

AND HAVE THE CONVERSATION.

BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE WRITTEN ON OUR FORWARD.

YOU SERVED IN COMBAT.

LED COMMAND IN IRAQ.

DID THESE THINGS.

NOT WRITTEN ANYWHERE.

YOU HAVE TO ASK.

VETERAN GROUPS ARE ALL OVER.

VFW, WE CAN ALLOW, IT WAS PEOPLE IN COMBAT WHO SERVED OR SOMEONE AT IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER WHO SERVED CAN BE THE AUXILIARY, ALLOWED TO HAVE VETERANS WHO MAY NOT HAVE U.S.

CITIZENSHIP, SWORE TO DEFUND OUR COUNTRY AND THEY SERVED, AND WERE TREATED AS YOU TALKED ABOUT, GOLD MEDALS THAT ARE DELAYED, THEY SERVED IN COMBAT FOR OUR MILITARY.

PROMISED LOTS OF THINGS.

THESE ALL HAVE ORGANIZATIONS.

NOW, SOME OF THE ORGANIZATIONS, IT'S WAY THEY'RE DESIGNED, NUMBERS ARE DWINDLING.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU, WITH ALL VETERANS THAT WE HAVE, ALL BELONG TO SOME KIND OF SUPPORT GROUP, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM BEING ABLE TO REFERENCE SOMEONE.

I'M A CONNECTOR.

BELONG TO MULTIPLE VETERAN GROUP ORGANIZATION MET MOST OF THE GENTLEMEN HERE BEFORE OR SERVED WITH PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH THEM.

YOU JUST NEED TO CONNECT THEM TO THE RIGHT RESOURCE.

THAT IS, IT IS AS CLOSE AS YOUR NEIGHBOR IN MANY CASES.

AND YOU JUST DON'T KNOW THAT THAT PERSON BELONGS.

IN OUR CASE, WE HAVE IN THE NEWSPAPER ALL THE TIME, PEOPLE WOULD WILL I CALL THEM THE DOERS.

THOSE ARE THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY IN THEIR COMMUNITY, ARE CONSTANTLY OUT THERE WANTING TO HELP INDIVIDUALS.

THIS IS THE COMMUNITY ISSUE.

NOT JUST FOR VETERANS.

BUT WHEN YOU HELP A COMMUNITY THAT'S WHEN WE GET BACK TO OUR PARADE, IT'S BUSINESSES, IT'S YOUR NONPROFITS, CHURCHES AND OTHER THINGS BRING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER.

AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

WHEN WE'RE DOING THAT, I'LL GUARANTEE THERE IS SOMEONE, VETERANS SERVE IN ALL PARTS OF THE GOVERNMENT.

SO YOU CAN FIND, SAY WHO IS A VETERAN ANY KNOW SOMEONERIGHT HERE.

>>Daryl: I WOULD LIKE TO GET TOY QUESTION.

ARE YOUNG VETERANS COMING OUT OF THE THESE RECENT DEPLOYMENTS, RECENT WAR, ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE COMING OUT IN SOME NUMBERS, YOU KNOW NOW, ARE THEY MORE ATTUNED AND BETTER AT ACCESSING SERVICES THAN, SAY, THEIR FATHERS WERE OR GRANDFATHERS WERE GREAT PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE VA AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

THINGS LIKE ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS EMERGING.

WORKING ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT DEAL WITH SERGIO MENTIONED ABOUT TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

BEING ABLE TO HAVE THESE MILITARY MEMBERS ASSESSED BEFORE THEY LEAVE THE SERVICE SO SEAMLESS WHEN THEY LEAVE OF THE ALREADY HAVE COMPENSATION RID.

READY GO.

WRAP AROUND SERVICES FOR JOBS.

EDUCATION KICKS IN.

VA HOME LOAN STUFF KICKS IN.

THAT'S THE KEY ELEMENT.

WHEN WE GO TO WAR, ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES, GO WAR, WE GO PREPARED IN ORDER TO GO FIGHT THE BATTLE.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO THERE AND COME IN SECOND PLACE.

DOCTOR MENTIONED THAT.

WE'RE RESOLVING.

BIGGEST THING.

QUESTION YOU ASKED EARLIER, WAS ABOUT THE FACT WHY ARE WE GETTING MORE PEOPLE TO COME OUT.

FRANKLY SPEAK, MAYBE TEN, 15, 20 YEARS AGO, DIDN'T COME OUT.

VIETNAM WAR.

BAD EXPERIENCES.

GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC.

PEOPLE WERE TURNED AWAY.

DID NOT WANT TO SEE ANYTHING RECEIVED FROM THE VA.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED NOW.

COMPLETELY.

NO LONGER ABOUT THE INSTITUTION.

IT'S ABOUT THE VETERAN.

VETERANCENTRIC.

TAKES LIKE PRESUMPTIVE AILMENTS.

8, TEN YEARS AGO, 17 TODAY FOR AGENT ORANGE.

>> REGISTRY FOR SUPPOSER.

HAZARDOUS.

>> NEVER THOUGHT THAT WOULD GET APPROVED.

GOING ON AND ON IN LEGISLATION.

LITIGATION.

PRESUMPTIVE ILLNESS FOR THAT BIGGER ONES I THINK IS COMING UP WITH SUPPORT FOR OUR NOT ONLY FAMILY MEMBER, BUT I THINK BIG ONE WAS FOR I THINK IT WAS ONE OF THE ONE JUST CROSS MY PATH.

>>Daryl: DO YOU KNOW WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT?

>> I'M NOT SURE.

I THINK I MAY.

BUT I WANTED TO JUST THROW IN THIS ONE.

GOES RIGHT IN WITH WHAT RON SAYING AND WHAT DEB SAYING TOO AND SERGIO.

WE HAVE PEER SUPPORT.

PEER SUPPORT, I GAVE VETERAN STATE TALK FOR JUDGE MORIKAWA AND HAWAII VETERANS COURT 2 DAYS AGO.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE, I HAVE THE LISTS HERE, WHICH I WILL NOT READ, BUT COURT MENTORS AND ALSO THE VA STAFF, THOSE ARE ALL PEER SUPPORT FOLKS THAT ARE ACTUALLY HELPING THOSE VETERANS.

IF YOU COME TO MY FACILITY, WE HAVE PEER SUPPORT, THESE ARE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED IN COMBAT OR IN DIFFERENT ARENAS AND WHO ARE THERE AND ARE WORKING WITH US, HIRED AS PEER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS SO THEY CAN HELP YOUNG VETERANS COMING OUT OF DIFFERENT CONFLICTS MORE RECENTLY TO READJUST TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY DO IN TERMS BENEFITS.

REINTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY AND WAY WE CAN HELP THE COMMUNITY FIND THOSE RESOURCES THAT DEB IS TALKING ABOUT, HELP PEOPLE TO CONCUR WHATEVER THEY HAVE.

AND HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO THEM.

WE HAVE PEER SUPPORT.

IT'S THERE.

IT WORKS.

AND IT'S BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL.

>>Daryl: OPEN GOT 3 MINUTES LEFT IN THE SHOW.

BEGINNING TO GET VERY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TOO SPECIFIC TO ANSWER ON TELEVISION.

ONE REQUESTOR FOR RENTAL HELP.

BY VETERAN.

HE'S HAVING TROUBLE GETTING DENIED.

SOMEONE HAVING TROUBLE WITH BENEFITS.

WHO DO THEY CALL?

IF THEY'RE HAVING TROUBLE GETTING THEIR BENEFITS ALSO, PERSON FROM NEIGHBOR ISLANDS SAYING, PLEASE EXPLAIN HOW I COULD GET MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.

LAST COUPLE MINUTE, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK, STARTING WITH DEB LEWIS, AND THEN RONALD.

AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN, WHO DO YOU CALL?

WHO ARE YOU GOING TO CALL?

WHEN YOU'RE NOT GETTING WHAT YOU THINK YOU AREEN TITLE TO.

>> CONTACT VETERANS SUPPORT ORGANIZATION.

THEY HAVE I NETWORK.

MAY HAVE FUND.

>> UNMET NEED, CAN'T MEET A BILL.

WE HAVE PROGRAM.

>> WE ALSO CAN DO SOMETHING OTHERS CANNOT.

WE CAN BE A VOICE FOR THE VETERANS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LEGISLATION IS PASSED.

SO THOSE OTHER CONDITIONS THAT RON TALKED ABOUT ARE GOING TO BE CONSIDERED.

IF WE DON'T, I DIDN'T WANT TO JOIN VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS.

IF I HADN'T JOINED, I WOULDN'T NOW WE WOULD HAVE A VOICE.

MAKE SURE WE GET HEARD.

BUT THE PEER TO PEER AND THE OTHER ONES IS HOW YOU CAN GET IMMEDIATE HELP.

>>Daryl: DO THEY CONTACT YOU TO FIND THAT.

>> GO VFW.ORG OR DEPARTMENT OF HAWAII, 20 POSTS THAT ARE SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE ISLANDS IN HAWAII.

AND THEY, IF THEY DON'T HAVE UNMET NEEDS PROGRAM RIGHT THERE, FOR EXAMPLE, BILL PAYING, OR MENTAL HEALTH CHANCES ARE I'VE GOT MEMBERS IF MY ORGANIZATION PART ADVISORS TO OTHER GROUPS AND THEY DO THE COUNSELING.

>>Daryl: ONLY GOT ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

>> FAST.

OBS @HAWAII.GOV.

OBS @HAWAII.GOV.

SO JUST GIVE US, REFER THINGS OUT AND YOU BROUGHT UP DR. ROBINSON.

TRIGGERED IT.

BLUE WATER NAVY.

WHOLE DIFFERENT SEGMENT FOR YOU DARYL.

BIG ONE THAT CAME ABOUT AFTER MANY YEARS OF DENIAL.

OBS HAWAII.GOV.

>>Daryl: CONTACT VA.

CONTACT US.

THAT'S THE VA.GOV, RIGHT?

THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT?

>> 1800 827 1,000.

EASIEST TO CONTACT US.

1800 827 1000.

CALL US HERE LOCALLY IN HAWAII, HONOLULU OFFICE, 808 433 0505.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR COUNSELING.

>>Daryl: THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

I THINK WE'VE DONE YOU FOLKS HAVE DONE GREAT SERVICE.

ON TOP OF YOUR SERVICE.

AND YOUR SERVICES TO VETERAN.

DEBRA LEWIS, COMMANDER OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS HAWAII, ADAM ROBINSON, DIRECTOR OF THE VETERANS AFFAIRS PACIFIC ISLAND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, RONALD HAN, DIRECTOR OF THE STATE OFFICE OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONOLULU VETERANS AFFAIRS, SERGIO CHAO.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, THE CITY OF HONOLULU IS CHANGING THE RULES REGARDING SHORT TERM RENTALS.

SOME SAY THE CHANGES ARE LONG OVERDUE, OTHERS SAY THE CITY IS GOING TOO FAR.

IT SHOULD BE A LIVELY DISCUSSION.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M DARYL HUFF FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII, ALOHA!