Mauna Kea

Summary Sheet: Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan CMP

The Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP)

What are the key points of the CMP?

  • The CMP provides a cultural foundation that is based upon recognizing the cultural significance of Mauna Kea.
  • The CMP was developed with extensive community input involving over 150 individuals and groups, 6 public meetings on the Big Island, a website, and a statewide survey.
  • The intent of the CMP is to preserve and protect the valued cultural and natural resources of Mauna Kea by managing uses and activities, including astronomy, recreational, and commercial uses.
  • The CMP does not advocate or allow new telescope development.  It does recommend management actions which would be applicable not only to existing astronomy facilities but also any future astronomy facilities, including improvements to the unpaved summit road and Hale Pōhaku.
  • Finally, the State Auditor recommended in 2005 that the University of Hawai‘i obtain rule-making authority and develop, implement, and monitor a comprehensive management plan for Mauna Kea.  The CMP recommends promulgation of administrative rules necessary to implement and enforce the CMP.

Why should we support the CMP?

  • There are valuable cultural and natural resources on Mauna Kea that need to be protected and preserved for not only this generation but generations to come.  For example, wēkiu bug habitat should be preserved and protected, and access should be provided to native Hawaiians for traditional and customary practices such as gathering mamake or worship of Mauna Kea. The CMP’s goal is to protect those valuable resources.
  • While the CMP isn’t perfect, it is the first important step toward taking responsibility for good stewardship of Mauna Kea in a culturally appropriate way.

How can I support the CMP?

  • Please sign the petition that will be presented to Board of Land and Natural Resources for approval.
  • Submit supportive testimony to the legislature on HB 1174 and SB 502.
  • Attend the public meeting before the Mauna Kea Management Board on March 20 and the Land Board meeting on April 9, 2009.

HB 1174 and SB 502

  • These two bills will grant authority to the University of Hawai‘i to adopt administrative rules to manage and regulate activities on the lands it leases on Mauna Kea.  They also allow the University to establish a special fund to deposit fees collected from activities on Mauna Kea.
  • The bills do not transfer ceded lands to the University.