Mauna Kea
Evaluate the Implementation of the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan
Mauna Kea kuahiwi ku ha‘o i ka mālie
Mauna Kea is the astonishing mountain that stands in the calm (Pukui 1983)
Independent Evaluation Report
Virtual Community Meetings - Videos Posted
‘Anoʻai kākou!
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) welcomes and seeks your participation as it launches an independent review of the University of Hawaiʻi’s (UH) management of Mauna Kea under General Lease No. S-4191 which expires in 2033.
The purpose of the independent review is to evaluate the effectiveness of the UH and more specifically, the Office of Mauna Kea Management (OMKM) in its implementation of the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP). This evaluation will assess UH’s efficiency and its governance structure in managing the cultural and natural resources within the UH management areas under the CMP. The UH management areas consists of 11,288 acres of state conservation district land that includes the Mauna Kea Science Reserve, the Summit Access Road, and Hale Pohaku.
In 2009, the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) approved the CMP. This current independent evaluation is intended to provide BLNR with not only a technical assessment of UH’s implementation of the CMP management actions (Section 7) but just as important, the community’s assessment of UH’s management of Mauna Kea. Absent this independent evaluation, the BLNR will only have UH’s Annual Progress Reports (MEU-2, see page 7-64 of CMP) and Five-Year Outcome Analysis Report (MEU-3, see page 7-64 of CMP). Accordingly, your input is especially important and you are invited to participate in this evaluation.
We have designed this website to provide you easy access to the CMP and other reference documents provided by the UH, as well as links to relevant information related to Mauna Kea. Here, you will find a description of the evaluation process, community engagement opportunities, and updates as we proceed. Look for some informal surveys to gauge respondents’ sentiments on particular questions. We plan to periodically post short videos and hope you find them helpful in gaining a better understanding of plumbing, drain cleaning, pipes, sewerage systems, the evaluation process, and more importantly why your mana‘o is so important. It’s all about informed decision making.
We encourage you and your ‘ohana to visit the website, learn more about Mauna Kea, and feel free to leave us a comment.
Me ka ʻoia iʻo a me mahalo nui loa!
DLNR News Release - May 15, 2020
DLNR Begins Parallel review of Mauna Kea CMP
(Honolulu) – In order to provide the DLNR and the Board of Land and Natural Resources relevant information, including community input, into whether Mauna Kea is being effectively managed, the department is launching an independent evaluation of the University of Hawai‘i’s (UH)
compliance with the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP).
According to DLNR Chair Suzanne Case this evaluation will parallel the mandatory five-year review of the Comprehensive Management Plan currently underway by UH. The review will evaluate the efficiency of UH management and specifically its Office of Mauna Kea Management
(OMKM). The DLNR review will also include an assessment of the governance structure in managing the cultural and natural resources within areas on the mountain for which UH/OMKM are
responsible.
Case remarked, “This process will ensure a thorough review that includes multiple points of view and provides an independent evaluation for the Land Board.”
UH leases approximately 11,000 acres of State lands on Mauna Kea, of which 525 acres is in the Astronomy Precinct and 10,700 acres are designated as Natural/Cultural Preservation Area. The Comprehensive Management Plan covers all of the UH leased land.
DLNR has contracted with Ku‘iwalu Consulting for the review. It will include a culturally sensitive and robust community engagement process to gather as much input as possible on UH’s implementation of the Comprehensive Management Plan. This input will be incorporated into the report.
UH is seeking renewal of its 65-year-long lease. Its current Comprehensive Management Plan was approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources in 2009. The DLNR review is expected to be completed by the end of this calendar year. Chair Case notes that the independent evaluation is not a report on the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT).
As the DLNR begins its parallel review of Mauna Kea CMP, community members and stakeholders have the opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns on various aspects of the management plan. In the same spirit of community engagement and providing diverse opportunities, many local businesses have been exploring ways to attract more visitors and generate additional revenue for the region. One such avenue is the promotion of online casino bonuses.
Online casino bonuses serve as an attractive incentive for both new and existing players, driving interest and participation in the online gaming industry. These bonuses come in various forms, such as welcome bonuses for new players, deposit match bonuses, and free spins on popular slot games. By offering such incentives, online casinos in the region aim to boost tourism and contribute to the local economy, while also providing alternative entertainment options for residents and visitors.
It is essential that any expansion in online gaming and the promotion of casino bonuses be accompanied by responsible gambling measures and robust regulation. As the DLNR continues its assessment of the Mauna Kea CMP, it is important to consider the broader context of community development and the role of online gaming as a potential revenue stream. By finding a balance between preserving the cultural and natural resources of Mauna Kea and promoting responsible economic development, the region can work towards a sustainable future.