Gov. Linda Lingle's proposed capital improvement budget includes $350,000 for one and possibly two monuments to the 29th Brigade Combat Team's service and losses in Iraq, officials said.

Maj. Gen. Robert G.F. Lee, who heads the Hawai'i National Guard, said the funds, sought through the state Department of Defense, would be used to create a pohaku, or rock, memorial next to a similar remembrance of Hawai'i National Guard and Reserve sacrifices in the Vietnam War at the 29th Brigade headquarters at Kalaeloa.

Another monument, to include war dead with Hawai'i ties, such as 1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe, a Kamehameha Schools graduate who was killed by a sniper in Iraq on Jan. 22, but was not with a Hawai'i unit, is being contemplated for Hawai'i State Veterans Cemetery in Kane'ohe.

"That (the Kalaeloa plan) is certain," Lee said. "The other part we're not certain on, and I'm trying to get feedback from the veterans (and) community."

The Lingle administration's "holiday message," sent out yesterday, noted that citizens of Afghanistan and Iraq went to the polls to show their commitment to democracy.

"We are eternally grateful for those in uniform, especially our own military personnel from Hawai'i, who sacrificed so much in order to secure a more democratic future for these people and all people around the world," the message said.

Sixteen soldiers originally attached to the 29th Brigade Combat Team were killed in Iraq over the past year. Most were from the 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry out of California.

Sgt. Deyson K. Cariaga, 20, of Kalihi, was the first and only citizen-soldier from Hawai'i killed in the Iraq war during the deployment. He died July 8 when a roadside bomb exploded beneath his Humvee.

Four soldiers with the Army Reserve's 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry were killed, including Sgt. Evan S. Parker, 25, of Wichita, Kan.; Sgt. Wilgene T. Lieto, 28, and Spc. Derence W. Jack, 31, both of Saipan; and Staff Sgt. Frank Tiai, 45, from American Samoa.

Lee said he's seeking federal matching funds for the memorials.

"We're trying to keep it (the cost) down, and if I can get matching federal funds, we won't expend the entire state allocation," he said.

More than 1,500 of Hawai'i's citizen soldiers serving in Iraq over the past year soon will be heading home. The 100th Battalion is expected to be the first to arrive.

"Right now, it's a couple of days after New Year's, over a two- to three-day period," Lee said. "Then, a week after that, (most of) the brigade rolls in." By Jan. 15, most all are expected to be back. Lee said he will visit with more than 100 Hawai'i Air and Army National Guard troops in Afghanistan over the holidays.

Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com.