UH-Hilo Center For Maunakea Stewardship ʻOhana Commended

The team entrusted with the many facets of stewardship of Maunakea were recently honored during a meeting of the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents.

UH-Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship employees were commended in a May 19 report to regents by Center for Maunakea Stewardship Director Greg Chun. He praised the center’s ʻohana for demonstrating unprecedented dedication to protecting and preserving the mauna before showing a video featuring the staff.

“Our people live, breathe and act on it every single day,” Chun said during a presentation to regents before the Comprehensive Management Plan for the mauna was approved. “And as a result, the mauna and all those who practice and work there, whether cultural practitioners or astronomers, are protected. None of it could be done without the incredible people that we have on our team.”

According to a news release from UH, an independent evaluation report released Dec. 31, 2020, commissioned by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources said state conservation lands on Maunakea are some of the best managed and protected lands in the islands.

Center for Maunakea Stewardship employees are responsible for many activities on the mauna, including maintaining the Maunakea Access Road, invasive species management, native species monitoring, native plant restoration, habitat monitoring and research, community outreach, educational signage and rangers ensuring public safety.