Public Input Sought on Update Maunakea Management Plan

The University of Hawaiʻi is seeking public input over the course of this month on an update to the 2009 Maunakea Comprehensive Management Plan, a framework approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources for Maunakea lands managed by UH.

The 2009 CMP identified 103 management actions addressing existing and future activities and uses, such as astronomy, recreational activities, commercial activities, scientific research, cultural activities and religious activities.

The 2009 CMP, 2022 Master Plan and the Maunakea Administrative Rules are the three primary tools that guide the UH Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship, the unit responsible for lands managed by UH on the mauna.

“All of us have an interest, no matter what that interest may be—cultural, environmental, commercial, recreational—in participating in this important process,” said Greg Chun, the CMS executive director. “We need to hear from everyone on what we’re proposing to do in this update to the CMP, which has already had a tremendous impact on improving the stewardship of the mauna.”

UH is asking the public to provide feedback on ​​the Comprehensive Management Plan 2022 Supplement: Management Action Updates (CMP Supplement). The draft CMP Supplement updates the 2009 CMP management actions, provides concise guidance on implementing the updated management actions and establishes clear measurements of progress. Key updates to the management actions include:

• Improve coordination with the Native Hawaiian community and protection of Maunakea’s resources (cultural, natural and scientific).
• Incorporate possible approaches to UH access management to minimize the potential impacts of activities and uses.
• Refine the management of activities and uses within the built environment to reduce potential impacts.

The draft CMP Supplement does not propose projects or land uses. It must be approved by the UH Board of Regents and then approved by the BLNR at public meetings to take effect.

Public input will be accepted through March 31 and comments can be made directly on the draft CMP supplement at MaunakeaStewardship.org. Click here for more information.

The draft CMP Supplement will be amended based on the public comments/feedback received and go to the BOR for public review and possibly further changes. Upon BOR approval, it is anticipated to go before the BLNR later this year.