Posted at 2:47 a.m., Sunday, May 27, 2007
Two new Hawai'i laws aimed at helping veterans
Advertiser Staff
HONOLULU – As Americans throughout the state and across the nation pause to remember the men and women who sacrificed their lives for our country and our freedom, Governor Linda Lingle signed two bills to recognize the service and contributions of Hawai'i's veterans. One bill provides grants for burial expenses for World War II Filipino veterans. A second measure establishes a program to grant high school equivalency diplomas to veterans who could not complete their high school education due to military service.
"For generations, our men and women in uniform have bravely served our nation, often making tremendous personal sacrifices," said Governor Lingle. "These two measures represent the deep respect and gratitude the people of Hawai'i have for our veterans who answered the call of duty."
Under HB831 HD2 SD1 CD1 (Act 100) , the State Office of Veterans Services will provide burial grants of up to $2,000 to pay for the cost of funeral and burial services for WWII Filipino veterans who died after June 30, 1994. The grants are to be used to cover the cost for transporting the remains of a deceased veteran to the Philippines.
The measure is intended to benefit those WWII Filipino veterans who are not eligible for internment in state and federal veterans cemeteries under the federal Veterans Benefits and Health Care Act of 2000. They include Filipino veterans who enlisted in World War II between October 6, 1945, and June 30, 1947, and who were, at the time of death, a United State citizen and a resident of the State of Hawai'i. It is estimated that less than 200 veterans would qualify.
The bill appropriates $20,000 for fiscal year 2007-2008 for the burial grants.
SB618 HD1 CD1 (Act 101) directs the Department of Education (DOE) to establish a program to award high school diplomas to individuals who could not complete their high school education due to compulsory service in the U.S. armed services during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, or who were sent to internment camps.
The measure applies to any person who was a resident of the State of Hawai'i and was enrolled in a high school in the state when they entered the military, does not have a high school diploma, and was compulsorily inducted into the armed services between December 1, 1941 and August 30, 1945; June 1, 1950 and July 31, 1953; or August 1, 1964 and January 31, 1973.
A high school equivalency diploma may also be granted to any person whose high school education was interrupted due to internment during World War II.
Any qualified person seeking such a diploma will need to submit the appropriate information to the DOE.
Both new laws take effect immediately.
