§363-3  Activities of the office. Except as otherwise provided by law, the office shall:

(1)  Maintain or cause to be maintained, subject tothe control and supervision of the office, a center to which veterans,including their families and dependents, may come for information, counsel,aid, and assistance, and by which they may be directed or referred to anyagency in the community whose function it is, by law or otherwise, to providethe services, assistance, or benefits which in each instance appear necessaryor appropriate.  Agencies to which any referrals may be made shall include, butare not limited to, departments and divisions of the federal and stategovernments, veterans' organizations, and so-called "private" socialagencies;

(2)  Assume the initiative, in cooperation withagencies in the community, for coordinating all services now available, andwhich hereafter may become available, for the use and benefit of veterans,including their families and dependents, to the end that maximum effectivenessof the services may be realized, and overlapping and duplication of effort asbetween agencies may be minimized;

(3)  Assemble, analyze, compile, and disseminatefactual, up-to-date information with respect to:

(A)  Benefits, rights, and services of whatevernature to which veterans, including their families and dependents, areentitled, or which may be available to them; and

(B)  The structure, functions, area of service,and other pertinent information regarding each agency and organization participatingin the veterans' assistance program in the State;

(4)  Cooperate with federal departments and otheragencies which, by law, have responsibility for the administration of rightsand benefits granted by the federal government to veterans, including theirfamilies and dependents;

(5)  As soon as possible after the close of eachfiscal year, compile and submit to the governor, for such use or distributionas the governor may deem appropriate, a comprehensive report of the activitiesand operations of the office, and of all disbursements and expendituresauthorized by the office under this section; and

(6)  Inspect every three years all state war memorialsand veterans' cemeteries for repair and maintenance deficiencies, and reportall repair and maintenance problems at these memorials and cemeteries to theadjutant general, the comptroller, and the legislature prior to the start ofthe next regular session. [L 1951, c 75, §6; RL 1955, §349-6; am L Sp 1959 2d,c 1, §20; HRS §363-3; am L 1970, c 105, §5; gen ch 1985; am L 1987, c 339, §4;am L 1988, c 115, §5; am L 1995, c 63, §2; am L 1997, c 360, §1]