Greg Chun, executive director of Maunakea stewardship at the University of Hawaiʻi, recognizes the magnitude of his role.

“As we know Maunakea is very significant in Hawaiian culture as the piko (belly button) of life itself,” said Chun. “It is also a very special physical environmental monument because of its characteristics.”

Maunakea is not only sacred to many Native Hawaiians and non-Native Hawaiians, it is also arguably the best place in the world for astronomy. Chun oversees 糖心视频 programs that protect and care for Maunakea鈥檚 natural and cultural resources, along with educational activities. In addition to supporting world-class research, he is also responsible for managing public activities on the mountain.

“I remember the first time I was up there in the evening,” Chun said. “Standing outside of the observatory and looking up, you literally felt you could reach up and touch the stars.”

Education provides opportunities

Chun earned his bachelor of arts in psychology from 糖心视频 Hilo before pursuing his master鈥檚 and PhD at 糖心视频 Mānoa. He said education provides students with unique opportunities.

“Education in general gives you the opportunity to broaden yourself and bring more knowledge, tools and skills into whatever endeavor you do,” said Chun.

He also highlighted the importance of staying connected to the 糖心视频 community because of its broader impact on Hawaiʻi.

“The university as we all know is an extremely important organization in the state because of the education, research and preparation we do to serve our community in different ways,” Chun said. “I also think the university represents a portal to think about the future and what the future of our state could be.”

Learn more about other outstanding .

Native plants are now flourishing at the Maunakea 糖心视频or Information Station (VIS), nearly two years after plant restoration efforts to replace māmane trees and enhance the subalpine ecosystem began. The (CMS, formerly known as the Office of Maunakea Management) has managed to establish māmane and other native plants including ʻāweoweo, pawale, puakala and heʻupueo, a native grass, to enhance the native ecosystem at the VIS, which is at the 9,000 foot elevation of Maunakea.

CMS鈥� restoration efforts fulfill its commitment to establish at least two māmane trees for every tree that was removed for the VIS parking lot improvement project. The project ensures parking and vehicle pullouts are on the same side of the road as the VIS, which will provide safe public access as required by the Maunakea Comprehensive Management Plan.

“Ongoing work to revive and expand the population of native plants on the mauna is just one of the many areas of stewardship the University of Hawaiʻi is committed to fulfilling,” said CMS Executive Director Greg Chun. “From caring for natural and cultural resources, telescope decommissioning and public access management, CMS is privileged to have the opportunity to enhance 糖心视频鈥檚 stewardship of Maunakea.”

Jessica Kirkpatrick is CMS鈥� natural resource specialist and leads efforts to protect flora and fauna on Maunakea. The center鈥檚 restorative work is contributing to larger efforts on the mauna to provide habitat and resources for the palila, an endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper and other native birds and arthropods unique to the subalpine ecosystem. The palila bird depends on māmane trees for survival and reproductive success and are currently restricted to a tiny patch of māmane habitat (~25 square miles) on the upper slopes of Maunakea.

More than 400 keiki (young) māmane trees can be observed around the VIS where construction occurred to improve the parking lot. The nitrogen fixing tree with yellow pea-shaped flowers is endemic to the main Hawaiian Islands and although it once thrived in forests from mauka to makai, it is currently limited to sub-alpine environments on Maunakea and Maunaloa on Hawaiʻi Island. More than 50% of the trees have sprouted up on their own as a result of natural regeneration and invasive weed management.

“We hypothesize that māmane are naturally regenerating in the restoration area because we keep these areas free of invasive weeds which gives these plants a chance of survival without competing for resources,” Kirkpatrick explained. “We also work to prevent the establishment of new invasive species on the mountain such as ants. All ants are introduced to Hawaiʻi and when they become established in our native ecosystems, they can have detrimental impacts to ecosystem function and contribute to species extinction. Maunakea is the only place in the state that does not have ants, and keeping it that way allows these endemic plants and arthropods that are host specific to these plants to thrive.”

CMS鈥檚 plant restoration process starts with collecting seeds from established native plants in the area. Some seeds, like māmane, need to be scarified and soaked before they are planted. Once plants are large enough they are outplanted into the natural environment and watered until they become established. It is critical to use soil exclusively from Maunakea to prevent the spread of invasive species. CMS must also remove invasive weeds, such as fireweed, telegraph weed, pin clover and mullein on a daily basis to give the native plants a chance to survive.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteer opportunities to help with restoration efforts were canceled. There has been no decision at this time on when volunteer groups can return. Since 2012, more than 1,100 volunteers have filled close to 2,000 garbage bags with invasive weeds pulled from the Halepōhaku area. One of the goals of the restoration area is to have community volunteers and school groups help with the entire restoration process to provide educational opportunities and a pilina (relationship) with the management of Maunakea.

For two consecutive years, from 2017–16, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce bestowed the Pualu Award to the 糖心视频 for its environmental awareness and cultural stewardship on Maunakea. The awards recognize 糖心视频鈥檚 innovative efforts to manage lands on Maunakea.

The University of Hawaiʻi remains steadfast in its commitment to continue to improve stewardship of Maunakea. The university is willing to work with anyone to honor that commitment, which includes considering different governance structures. 糖心视频鈥檚 commitment to collaborative stewardship was clearly mandated to leadership by the Board of Regents (BOR) in an August 24, 2017 resolution, and alternative models other than 糖心视频 management were publicly discussed with the 糖心视频 Regents at their (PDF).

糖心视频 believes astronomy on Maunakea and in Hawaiʻi will be put at significant risk if work on the new land authorization is stopped at this time with no clear alternative path forward. It will take substantial time to reach an agreement on a new approach, if that can be done. If a new organization is recommended it will need to be created and funded, and even if it already exists it will have substantial work to complete the necessary plans, assessments and approvals. Similar ideas have been previously proposed in the legislature in past years with no result. This has created uncertainty and concern amongst the existing observatories and their national and international non-profit owners/sponsors regarding matters critical to their futures. This includes the new observatory stewardship fees 糖心视频 has been planning to assess and more fundamentally, whether they will be offered the opportunity to continue beyond the end of their current leases in 2033. The observatories are anxious to determine if they can continue to invest and upgrade their facilities, or must begin the long process of decommissioning.

The issues surrounding Maunakea are extraordinarily difficult, and opinions have hardened. As was noted in the recent third-party assessment of 糖心视频鈥檚 execution of the Comprehensive Management Plan, the opinions of members of the public regarding 糖心视频 stewardship of Maunakea has often depended upon whether they support or oppose telescope development on the mauna. A new governance structure or land manager will not change the minds of those who are opposed to astronomy on Maunakea.

In the 1960s the State of Hawaiʻi, under the leadership of Governor Burns, determined that it wanted to support astronomy on Maunakea and further, that Hawaiʻi should not just be a landlord but should aspire to a world-class program of education and research in astronomy. That has been achieved, and the university understands fully that the privilege of stewardship carries an even greater responsibility to mālama, to care for, Maunakea because of its unique heritage and resources.

If the State now wishes to discontinue astronomy on Maunakea or continue as a landlord only, those are decisions for the State to make. But such decisions should be made in full recognition of the improvements in stewardship made since 2000 and the changes underway even today. Among the public recognition of 糖心视频鈥檚 work in the last two decades are:

• stated, “We heard many comments that the cultural and natural resources on the state conservation lands on Mauna Kea are some of the best managed and protected lands in the entire State.”
• In 2017, the Hawaiʻi Historic Foundation presented 糖心视频 with a Preservation Commendation Award, the foundationʻs highest recognition of preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and interpretation of the state鈥檚 architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage.
• In 2014, the State auditor conducted an extensive follow-up to the 1998 audit and observed: “We found that 糖心视频 has developed several management plans that provide a comprehensive framework for managing and protecting Mauna Kea while balancing the competing interests of culture, conservation, scientific research and recreation.” Subsequent reviews by the State Auditor have shown continuous progress and improvement.

The BOR and the university administration under President David Lassner have undertaken a number of initiatives to create clearer lines of accountability and improve 糖心视频鈥檚 stewardship of Maunakea.

Internal restructuring

The university has undertaken an internal restructuring to make clear the lines of responsibility for stewardship of the mauna, and to corral behind one unified command the prodigious cultural, scientific and educational resources of the university.

The Executive Director for Maunakea Stewardship position was established in August 2019 and reports directly to the 糖心视频 Hilo chancellor. The executive director is responsible for all 糖心视频 programs related to Maunakea and its cultural, natural, educational and scientific resources.

In August 2020, the BOR approved the restructuring of the internal management of all related 糖心视频 programs creating the Center for Maunakea Stewardship. The center, a 糖心视频 Hilo unit, combines the and under the Executive Director for Maunakea Stewardship and formalizes the collaborative roles for the 糖心视频 and 糖心视频 Hilo . The formal role for ʻImiloa is new and is intended to directly address concerns about 糖心视频 commitment to education and outreach. In developing the Center for Maunakea Stewardship, 糖心视频 considered input from the Maunakea advisory groups, community members, 糖心视频 faculty, Maunakea observatories, elected officials, government agencies, staff and national partners gathered during more than 90 meetings.

Administrative rules

The 糖心视频 Board of Regents adopted administrative rules for Maunakea at the end of 2019, which were signed by Gov. David Ige in January 2020. The approval took place based on input gathered during months of substantial community outreach, two rounds of formal public hearings, and hours of public testimony at BOR meetings. Regents paid careful attention to the input received and adapted the Rules to address concerns from cultural practitioners raised at their last meeting on the subject.

The management actions enabled by the administrative rules are now being implemented including establishing processes to manage access in order to limit excessive traffic, updating commercial tour operator guidelines and setting up administrative systems for managing our authorities under the rules.

Work underway

糖心视频 continues to incorporate strategies to broaden and strengthen outreach and engagement in its work to develop a new Maunakea Master Plan and update the Comprehensive Management Plan. Multiple rounds of outreach with stakeholders and the broader community are planned and already in process, including with the Native Hawaiian community. This outreach is now complicated by the Speaker’s announcement as those opposed to astronomy may now feel they have little reason to meet with us. Those activities are essential to taking the next steps forward in continuing to advance collaborative and holistic stewardship of Maunakea.

The University of Hawaiʻi has received the Hawaiʻi State Department of Land of Natural Resources鈥� (DLNR) independent review of the implementation of the (CMP) (PDF). 糖心视频 knows that the review, released on December 31, 2020 by Kuʻiwalu Consulting, was a significant undertaking, especially in the midst of the pandemic. 糖心视频 commends Kuʻiwalu for its hard work and thoroughness.

The university remains steadfast in its commitment to improve stewardship of Maunakea, and this independent review provides important, constructive feedback to inform this ongoing effort. The report驶s findings that Maunakea and its natural and cultural resources are among the best managed and protected lands in the state is an affirmation of the work done over the last 20 years. It started with the development and adoption of the (PDF), establishment of the , and then the development and adoption of the CMP. Most of the CMP鈥檚 103 Management Actions have been completed and the remaining actions are in the process of being finalized.

One of the review鈥檚 criticisms was the university鈥檚 lack of timeliness in adopting administrative rules. The rules were approved by the 糖心视频 Board of Regents in November 2019, and signed by Governor Ige in January 2020. Although there were some delays outside of 糖心视频 control, 糖心视频 acknowledges that the rulemaking process could have been completed sooner. Nonetheless, the management actions enabled by the administrative rules are now being implemented. Activities underway include establishing processes to manage access in order to limit excessive traffic, updating commercial tour operator guidelines and setting up a citation system for use by the Maunakea Rangers.

The university also acknowledges the criticisms in the review regarding insufficient consultation and engagement with the Native Hawaiian community, particularly when it comes to decisions related to the management of the mountain. This criticism is not new, has been taken to heart, and is a fundamental driver behind 糖心视频 shifting responsibility for management to 糖心视频 Hilo over the past 20 years.

The most recent restructuring considered input received from our Maunakea advisory groups, community members, 糖心视频 faculty, Maunakea observatories, elected officials, government agencies, staff and national partners over more than 90 meetings. Attempts to discuss these changes with Hawaiʻi Island kiaʻi were made but were largely unsuccessful. 糖心视频 has also incorporated strategies to broaden and strengthen our outreach and engagement in its work to develop a new Maunakea Master Plan and update the CMP. And 糖心视频 is working on new governance approaches that will strengthen and broaden direct engagement with Native Hawaiian and other community stakeholders.

Other efforts already underway to elevate culture and education as key priorities alongside astronomy and land stewardship include charging the to develop educational materials for those who work on and visit Maunakea, as well as to improve the educational and cultural programming at the Maunakea 糖心视频or Information Station and Hale P艒haku.

The university appreciates the acknowledgement that the issues surrounding Maunakea are contentious and that the public驶s assessment of 糖心视频 primarily depends on whether they support or oppose telescope development on Maunakea. This is a very complex, divisive and challenging issue. 糖心视频 remains committed to being excellent stewards of the mauna and believe we have a strong foundation to build on. 糖心视频 stands firmly behind the August 24, 2017 Board of Regents resolution and our “commitment to the collaborative stewardship of Maunakea鈥檚 cultural, natural, educational and scientific resources, and … to move forward to collaboratively build a global model of harmonious and inspirational stewardship that is befitting of Maunakea.” This review of the work to implement the current CMP will help inform and support the path forward.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Land of Natural Resources issued this news release and accompanying report on December 31, 2020.

The Department of Land of Natural Resources (DLNR) has completed its independent review of the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan implementation by the University of Hawaiʻii (糖心视频).

Over the past seven months, the review was conducted independently for DLNR by Kuʻiwalu Consulting, to provide DLNR and the Board of Land and Natural Resources relevant information as to whether Mauna Kea is being effectively managed.

Noting the contentious context of Mauna Kea in recent years, Kuʻiwalu sought extensive public and stakeholder input through multiple venues on various aspects of the comprehensive management plan鈥檚 implementation.

The independent evaluation found that the 糖心视频 Office of Mauna Kea Management (OMKM) has made progress in implementing most of the Comprehensive Management Plan鈥檚 management actions, and it appears that OMKM has been effective at managing natural and cultural resources on Mauna Kea. The report noted, “We heard many comments that the cultural and natural resources on the state conservation lands on Mauna Kea are some of the best managed and protected lands in the entire State. The area is clear of trash, the invasive species are being removed not only by OMKM but volunteer groups, and the OMKM Rangers to ensure public safety on Mauna Kea.”

At the same time, the independent evaluation also found that OMKM has not effectively implemented the Comprehensive Management Plan in three major process areas: (1) untimely adoption of administrative rules to manage public access and regulate commercial activities; (2) inadequate consultation with members of the Native Hawaiian community, both those who oppose and support 糖心视频鈥檚 management of Mauna Kea, on matters related to cultural and resources issues; and (3) ineffective engagement with the community, in particular, members of the Native Hawaiian community, on education and outreach efforts, including decision-making processes related to the management of Mauna Kea.

“We deeply appreciate the thorough and transparent work of Dawn Chang and the Kuʻiwalu Project team on this challenging topic, and we especially appreciate all of the more than 500 people who opted to participate in the process to make sure we heard multiple voices and points of view,” said DLNR Chair Suzanne Case.

“The results show overall solid management by 糖心视频 on the protection of the mountain鈥檚 natural and cultural resources,” Case commented, “but lacking in the equally important work of relationship building and meaningful inclusion of many people who care deeply about the mauna. This work will certainly help DLNR and the Board of Land and Natural Resources better understand and oversee management of Mauna Kea.”

Chair Case noted that the independent evaluation is not a report on the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). 糖心视频 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 糖心视频 leased land and was approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources in 2009.

The Independent Evaluation of the Implementation of the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan can be found on and on the Project website at . A number of background documents are also contained on both websites, and will be maintained on the Project website through January 31, 2021. After that date the documents will be moved to DLNR鈥檚 website for public reference.

Some families on Hawaiʻi Island are facing difficulties when it comes to putting food on the table during the COVID-19 pandemic. Transportation limitations also keep a number of ʻohana from getting to food distribution centers.

(OMKM) Senior Advisor Wally Ishibashi offered to k艒kua. He asked Hawaiʻi Island鈥檚 food assistance program, , how OMKM, the University of Hawaiʻi , Hilo, Maunakea Observatories Support Services and (MKO), could help.

The move to feed those in need flourished and turned into a weekly production. As of April 27, volunteers meet every Monday to load food boxes into vans and shuttle them to various towns in East Hawaiʻi. So far, more than 200 boxes were delivered to homes in H膩m膩kua, Hilo, P膩hoa, Kalapana, Mountain View and Volcano.

“We are unable to solve all the challenges of COVID-19, but as we come together, united, we can make a huge difference,” said Ishibashi. “Let鈥檚 take care of community first. We always help each other. It鈥檚 the right thing to do.”

In order to comply with COVID-19 guidelines, the drop-offs are a contactless delivery service. Volunteers unload boxes at the home鈥檚 predetermined location, wave hello and drive to the next location.

“The Food Basket is doing such important work, meeting critical—and growing—needs for food security in our community. Our role here is to help them however we can,” said MKO volunteer Jessica Dempsey from the .

Each month, The Food Basket serves about 14,000 people facing financial hardship.

Editor’s update, June 19, 2020: The 糖心视频 Board of Regents deferred action on the measure at its May 21 meeting. The proposed plan for unification and restructuring of the internal management and stewardship of Maunakea is expected to go to the board for a vote in 2020, possibly as early as the August 20 full board meeting.

A plan to restructure the internal management of University of Hawaiʻi-managed lands on Maunakea was presented to the 糖心视频 Board of Regents (BOR) on April 16. The plan covers all operating and advisory units associated with Maunakea and will make operations and management more efficient, effective and transparent.

The restructuring plan is one of 11 action items required by the November 2019 BOR resolution directing 糖心视频 leadership to strengthen its stewardship of Maunakea and is responsive to a recent fiscal review conducted by the 糖心视频 Office of Independent Audit.

Under the new structure, the lead organization will be the Center for Maunakea Stewardship, reporting directly to the 糖心视频 Hilo chancellor. The center will be accountable and responsible for all strategic implementation, planning, permitting, compliance oversight, outreach and research and academic coordination.

This internal restructuring is intended to optimize existing resources, competencies and relationships by establishing clear reporting, collaboration and advisory structures. It would bring together the Office of Maunakea Management and Maunakea Support Services (MKSS) while clarifying collaborative roles for the Institute for Astronomy and 驶Imiloa Astronomy Center. The roles of the major community advisory groups鈥擬aunakea Management Board, the Kahu K奴 Mauna Native Hawaiian advisory council and the Environmental Council鈥攚ould be strengthened to provide for engagement in strategy and policy matters. The role of the MKSS Oversight Committee (currently consisting of representatives of the various Maunakea Observatories) would also be formally articulated.

“This proposed management structure will improve transparency and lines of accountability, and clarify 糖心视频鈥檚 oversight and stewardship roles in the broader Maunakea community and through the eyes of key stakeholders,” said Greg Chun, 糖心视频 executive director of Maunakea stewardship. “It will optimize existing resources, competencies and relationships; better reflect stakeholder representation and maintain governance continuity, which is important for discussions surrounding the future of astronomy on Maunakea.”

The plan was informed by input from the Maunakea Management Board, Kahu K奴 Mauna, the Maunakea Observatories, state and private sector land owners/managers and other Hawaiʻi Island community stakeholders, as would be its implementation. Following the discussion at its April meeting, the Board of Regents proposed to formally consider approving the restructuring plan at its May meeting.

What might a new Maunakea governance structure look like?

Another action item called for by the BOR in its 2019 resolution was for the administration to consider and analyze alternative governance structures for Maunakea that the state may choose to advance in the future. Chun presented to the BOR for discussion four models that have been developed with broad input from 糖心视频 and non-糖心视频 stakeholders, and discussed in multiple venues. The four alternatives presented include:

1. Creating a new Maunakea Stewardship Authority attached to a state agency, which would hold the master lease and be responsible for all aspects of managing and stewarding the mountain and astronomy support;
2. Eliminating the master lease and having Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) and Department of Land and Natural Resources directly responsible for all aspects of managing and stewarding the mountain and astronomy support;
3. Issuing a new master lease to a new third party selected by BLNR through some process to be determined; and
4. Establishing a collaborative stewardship model for Maunakea involving all stakeholders in which 糖心视频 would hold a master lease only for what is referred to as the astronomy precinct and Hale P艒haku.

Chun highlighted other examples in Hawaiʻi on which these models were patterned and shared the considerations that might drive a decision by state policymakers as to the preferred model moving forward. These alternatives will be further explored in partnership with DLNR in consultation with the community.

“It is important that the regents and our policymakers have a full understanding of possible alternatives when it comes to the management of the mauna, to chart the best path forward, not just for 糖心视频 and astronomy, but for the state,” said Chun.

• The Resolution
• (PDF)
• (PDF)

The decommissioning of two telescopes on University of Hawaiʻi-managed lands on Maunakea is tentatively scheduled to be completed by 2023. This is according to an update provided by the university to the 糖心视频 Board of Regents (BOR) at the board鈥檚 February 20 meeting at 糖心视频 West Oʻahu. The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Submillimeter Observatory and the 糖心视频 Hilo 贬艒办奴 Keʻa teaching telescope are both making progress in the extensive decommissioning process, according to 糖心视频 Executive Director of Maunakea Stewardship Greg Chun, who provided the update to the regents.

The BOR adopted a resolution in November 2019 directing 糖心视频 leadership to strengthen its stewardship of Maunakea and report back regularly on the progress of 11 action items. The first action item in the resolution is the decommissioning of Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) and 贬艒办奴 Keʻa.

Telescope decommissioning process

The 2010 Decommissioning Plan for the Maunakea Observatories, a sub-plan of the Maunakea Comprehensive Management Plan, describes the four-step decommissioning process for the removal of an observatory followed by a site restoration to its original state, to the greatest extent possible.

糖心视频鈥檚 Office of Maunakea Management (OMKM) is responsible for coordinating the overall process and coordinating with the State of Hawaiʻi and the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The respective observatory is responsible for preparing the Site Decommissioning Plan along with compliance and permit documents and implementing decommissioning.

CSO decommissioning update

CSO is the first telescope/observatory to undertake the decommissioning process after it announced it would cease operations. The deconstruction and site restoration work is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2021 and be completed by mid-to-late 2022. The financial responsibility of the removal and site restoration rests fully with Caltech. The decommissioning will include the removal of the dome, outbuildings and related infrastructure along with the restoration of the site. The astronomical instruments inside the observatory have already been removed.

CSO is now finalizing the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) after completing the required technical surveys, including an Environmental Site Assessment and a Hazardous Materials Assessment. Caltech commissioned a number of studies for the process including an archeological assessment, a cultural setting analysis, a hydrogeological evaluation, a biological inventory, a biological setting analysis, a traffic analysis and an asbestos/lead paint/mold survey.

Along with completing the draft EA, which describes the site as well as the potential impacts of the decommissioning process, CSO is also in the process of completing the historic preservation review, Draft Mitigation/Monitoring Plan and Decommissioning Funding Plan.

As part of the process laid out in the 2010 Decommissioning Plan for the Maunakea Observatories, CSO is also required to complete a Site Deconstruction and Removal Plan and a Site Restoration Plan, all of which are subject to approval by OMKM and the appropriate agencies (along with the necessary permits) before deconstruction can begin.

贬艒办奴 Keʻa decommissioning update

The deconstruction and site restoration of 贬艒办奴 Keʻa is tentatively scheduled to begin in early 2023 and take about six months. The project will follow the detailed process in the Decommissioning Plan for the Maunakea Observatories.

On February 18, 2020, the Maunakea Management Board approved 糖心视频 Hilo鈥檚 Notice of Intent to decommission the 贬艒办奴 Keʻa telescope on the condition that the university simultaneously proceed with the planning and permitting for a new teaching telescope for 糖心视频 Hilo students and the Hawaiʻi Island community. The process includes identifying a new location, possibly the Hale P艒haku mid-level facilities on Maunakea. The university is financially responsible for the decommissioning of 贬艒办奴 Keʻa and establishing the new 糖心视频 Hilo teaching telescope.

The university selected a construction project management firm in February 2020 to handle the planning and permitting for the telescope decommissioning that includes preparing the Environmental Assessment, hazardous material assessments, State Historic Preservation Division clearances, Conservation District use application, design/bid construction package and the archeological plan along with the community consultation, the Kahu K奴 Mauna (Native Hawaiian volunteer community-based advisory council) review and acquiring the necessary permits.

The university is in the process of awarding a contract to identify a new location and begin the planning process for the 糖心视频 Hilo teaching telescope, which would be considerably smaller than the current telescopes on Maunakea.

About 20 volunteers braved the cold on Maunakea on Saturday, February 8, to pull invasive weeds and protect native plants. The community event, organized by the (OMKM), targets invasives that threaten native species at Hale Pōhaku at the mid-level section of the mountain.

“Well I just learned what a māmane looks like. So that was cool! I saved a couple, yay,” said volunteer Genevieve Runningwind.

The yellow flowering trees are endemic to Hawaiʻi. Volunteers placed rocks around the saplings and tied pink ribbons to prevent people from stepping on them. The event is part of the Mālama Maunakea campaign that focuses on protecting the area.

Ants are among OMKM鈥檚 list of invasives its working to keep off the mountain. According to Environment and Natural Resource Program Manager Fritz Klasner, the tiny insects aren鈥檛 found naturally on Maunakea. “ By helping detect ants early we can respond and prevent ants from spreading into an area that so far the university has been able to keep ants out of,” Klasner said.

Volunteers spent hours digging up fireweed, a highly invasive plant found near Hale Pōhaku. The pesky weeds鈥� seeds easily disperse in the wind, and can latch on to hiking boots and vehicles. At the end of the day, volunteers managed to fill more than 43 trash bags.

Rich Matsuda has worked at the W.M. Keck Observatory for the past 25 years and hikes regularly on Maunakea. “I just really enjoy this very special place, and it鈥檚 about time we pitch in and help mālama,” Matsuda said.

OMKM has hosted nearly five-dozen weed pulls since 2012. Since then, approximately 300 native plants have been planted.

Gov. David Ige has approved and signed the administrative rules for land managed by the University of Hawaiʻi on Maunakea. The rules were filed with the lieutenant governor鈥檚 office today and will take effect 10 days from filing—on Jan. 23, 2020.

The 糖心视频 Board of Regents adopted the rules on Nov. 6, 2019 after a special 11-hour meeting at 糖心视频 Hilo, where 99 people testified. During the meeting, regents amended the draft based on testimony from several public hearings where citizens expressed concerns that a provision related to group registration might impact the rights of Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners.

“With the opening of Maunakea Access Road and a return to normal activity on the mountain, I believe it is the right time to approve the rules,” said Gov. Ige. “I have personally observed that there was too much traffic on Maunakea and these rules will give the university the tools needed to better manage public and commercial access.”

The purpose of the rules, under HRS section 20-26-1, is to “provide for the proper use, management, and protection of cultural, natural, and scientific resources of the 糖心视频 management areas; to promote public safety and welfare by regulating public and commercial activity within the 糖心视频 management areas; to ensure safe and appropriate access to the 糖心视频 management areas for the public; and to foster co-management with the Department of Land and Natural Resources in 糖心视频 management areas.”

The final version of the rules is the result of extensive consultation and public outreach that included Native Hawaiian organizations, Hawaiʻi Island business organizations, commercial tour operators and government agencies including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Office of the Hawaiʻi County Mayor, the Maunakea Management Board, and Kahu K奴 Mauna.

“We are grateful to Gov. Ige and especially to all the stakeholders and members of the public who participated in the lengthy process,” said 糖心视频 President David Lassner. “With the adoption of these rules, 糖心视频 can now address the last of the remaining concerns of the State Auditor regarding our management of Maunakea.”

The first round of four public hearings on the initial draft was held in September 2018 on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui and Oʻahu. A revised draft was prepared based on comments and concerns received during those public hearings. Those comments and concerns were then shared with stakeholder groups and the public during a three-month, informal outreach process that began in January 2019.

A second round of four public hearings was held in June 2019 on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui and Oʻahu. The draft that the regents eventually adopted included revisions based on 738 written submissions and 225 oral testimonies during the two rounds of public hearings in 2018 and 2019.

“It is now time to utilize these rules to address the issues with excessive traffic that have been raised, as well as to issue new permits for commercial tour operations,” said 糖心视频 Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin who has executive oversight responsibilities under the Master Plan and Comprehensive Management Plan for 糖心视频-managed lands on Maunakea. “We look forward to working with the community as we move forward.”

The University of Hawaiʻi acknowledges the reduction of state law enforcement presence on Maunakea initiated by Governor David Ige today. These past months have been difficult for everyone, and we deeply hope this provides a period of reflection for all to continue to seek a positive, peaceful and non-violent path forward on Maunakea and for Hawaiʻi.

糖心视频 continues to support the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) as part of a positive future for modern world-class astronomy on Maunakea, as we also embrace the decommissioning of multiple telescopes on the mauna and the commitments to stewardship, education and culture embedded in the permit conditions for the TMT and the resolutions of our Board of Regents.

糖心视频 believes that Maunakea is a place of inspiration, awe and spirituality for many where modern astronomy can and should coexist synergistically with traditional knowledge and culture to advance all the people of Hawaiʻi and the world.

I fully recognize that some Hawaiians consider Maunakea to be so sacred that it should not be the home for TMT or any modern observatory. For them, this sacredness outweighs any benefits of modern astronomy to human knowledge, scientific inspiration and discovery, education, or high-quality jobs. Thousands of Hawaiians and others have raised voices in opposition, and I am sorry for the pain that 糖心视频鈥檚 support of TMT and astronomy on Maunakea has caused.

At the same time, some Hawaiians and others have shared that they consider the study of astrophysics, the beginnings of the universe and the origins of mankind, to be the most spiritual of endeavors. Some consider the fact that Maunakea is the best site in the world for astronomical observation to be a gift to the people who were the best naked eye astronomers of their day—the Polynesians who first settled here after navigating to these most isolated of islands using their knowledge of the stars along with the ocean and winds, the clouds and the birds.

I am personally inspired by amazing collaborations over these past few years in which astronomers have been working together with cultural and language experts and educators: the connections being explored between modern astrophysics and the Kumulipo; the Maunakea Scholars Program through which Hawaiʻi high school students on every island are developing research proposals and answering their own questions using the best telescopes in the world; and Hawaiian-speaking students who have engaged with experts in ʻ艒lelo Hawaiʻi and astronomy to create new Hawaiian names for celestial bodies discovered in Hawaiʻi. These inspiring synergies show us the possibilities, and they are examples of collaborations that take place nowhere else on earth.

The university will also continue to strengthen our stewardship of Maunakea, which has become exemplary after the missteps of the first decades. The resolution adopted by the 糖心视频 Board of Regents in November 2019 commits us to redouble our efforts to accelerate decommissioning, to streamline our internal management model, to explore new collaborative approaches to stewardship and management, and to advance education and culture on the mauna.

We must also acknowledge that TMT and even Maunakea are not the sole root causes of the deep turmoil that Hawaiʻi has faced over these last months, including the reawakening of many to the need for justice. The historic wrongs against Native Hawaiians have resulted in many problems that have been intractable thus far: Hawaiian health disparities, shorter life spans, increased houselessness, lower educational attainment, economic inequality, increased incarceration rates and more. There is also much work ahead to help ensure and advance the revitalization and normalization of ʻ艒lelo Hawaiʻi and to bring back to the fore the wisdom of those who lived so sustainably in our islands prior to western contact. And we have yet to resolve complex policy issues around Hawaiian Home Lands, ceded lands and our ability to make difficult decisions as a community about complex projects.

糖心视频 must bring our consequential capacities to bear in collaboration with like-minded allies, whether opponents or supporters of TMT and astronomy, to address these many challenges and opportunities for Native Hawaiians and Hawaiʻi. At the same time, we have substantial work ahead on our campuses to advance healthy climates that ensure equity and respect among our incredibly diverse communities of students, faculty and staff of different backgrounds. practices and beliefs. We can and must be welcoming to all.

As we enter this holiday season and the beginning of a new decade, we celebrate, congratulate and honor our recent graduates. I hope we can all reflect on our opportunities as part of the University of Hawaiʻi, the institution that more than any other can lead the way to a better future for our islands and all who call Hawaiʻi home.

David Lassner, President
University of Hawaiʻi

The proposed resolution was drafted by the BOR Maunakea Governance Permitted Interaction Group formed by the BOR at its August 2, 2019 special meeting. The resolution and report by the group are posted in the materials for the October 17 BOR meeting at Leeward Community College. This is a matter of procedure for Permitted Interaction Groups, pursuant to Section 92-2.5(b), HRS. No action or deliberation will occur on this item at the Leeward CC meeting, but will be taken up at the subsequent meeting scheduled for November 6, at 糖心视频 Hilo.

The group, consisting of six regents, engaged with university administration, government officials and outside advisors as it looked into issues related to the university’s stewardship and governance activities on Maunakea.

University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents RESOLUTION To Act on Items Relating to Maunakea Management

WHEREAS, the Board of Regents believes and acknowledges that Maunakea holds a special and important place in the history, culture, and hearts of the peoples of Native Hawaiian ancestry and all of Hawaiʻi; and

WHEREAS, Maunakea has become a symbol of Native Hawaiian self-determination; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Regents recognizes that the University of Hawaiʻi (“University”) has been criticized for past and present management of Maunakea; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Regents realizes that any mismanagement of Maunakea is hurtful and disrespectful to the sanctity and inviolability of this place to Native Hawaiians and others; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Regents in response to past criticisms, has clarified its roles, duties, and responsibilities beginning with the adoption of the Mauna Kea Science Reserve Master Plan (2000), Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan 糖心视频 Management Areas (2009), A Cultural Resources Management Plan for the University of Hawaiʻi Management Areas on Mauna Kea (2009), Natural Resources Management Plan for the 糖心视频 Management Areas on Mauna Kea (2009), Public Access Plan for the 糖心视频 Management areas on Mauna Kea (2010), and Decommissioning Plan for the Mauna Kea Observatories (2010) (collectively hereinafter referred to as “Management Plans”); and

WHEREAS, under said Management Plans, the Board of Regents was principally responsible to fulfill and to carry out all of the recommendations, obligations, and duties promulgated under said Management Plans; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Regents takes its responsibility seriously and hereby affirms its commitment to follow through with the recommendations made in the Management Plans to better manage the impacts of the astronomy facilities and operations upon the natural environment, cultural resources, recreational resources, educational resources, and upon the broader community; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Regents has determined that there remain unmet responsibilities and ongoing compliance issues that have delayed completion of certain recommendations and requirements under the Management Plans; and

WHEREAS, THE Board of Regents therefore desires to remove any delays in compliance and to complete ongoing responsibilities in an accelerated and expeditious manner.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin, University of Hawaiʻi Vice President Vassilis Syrmos, Maunakea Support Services (MKSS), Institute for Astronomy (IfA), Office of Maunakea Management (OMKM), and any other necessary, related management or operation entity be directed to cause the following action items to be accomplished in the timeframes as specified herein below:

1. Two (2) observatory sites known as the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory and Hokukea site shall be decommissioned no later than April 30, 2021. For purposes of this resolution, the term “decommissioning” shall mean the complete removal of all man-made structures at each respective site bringing each site to as close as feasible to its natural state prior to construction. These will be the first two of five observatories to be decommissioned.
2. A schedule of decommissioning of these two sites will be laid out on a Gantt chart or other similar visual schedule for each of the above sites indicating function and timeframe for each major step in the decommissioning process to achieve completion on or by April 30, 2021. The schedule for decommissioning shall be presented to the Board of Regents on or before its February 2020 meeting.
3. A new educational telescope facility for the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo shall be established on already developed land at Hale P艒haku or elsewhere, as soon as can be permitted, with a target date no later than April 30, 2021, to ensure the prompt availability of a teaching telescope. The Board of Regents shall support the funding of the planning, design, and construction of the new educational facility.
4. A third (3rd) observatory site known as the United Kingdom Infrafred Telescope (UKIRT) shall be decommissioned no later than December 2024. A Gantt chart or other similar visual schedule shall be provided to the Board of Regents by December 31, 2022. This will be the third of five observatories to be decommissioned.
5. Since the fourth (4th) observatory site known as the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observatory is already scheduled to be decommissioned by December 31, 2033, the last of the five sites to be decommissioned will be identified and designated to the Board of Regents on or by December 31, 2022.
6. In collaboration with OMKM and MKSS, the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center shall develop a suite of educational programs regarding Maunakea including but not limited to Native Hawaiian culture, history, environmental, and biological considerations designed for tour guides and drivers, employees, contractors, recreational users, scientists and observatory workers, and visitors, as required by the Management Plans, by August 31, 2020. OMKM shall report to the Board of Regents on its plans and progress to implement said educational programs at its February 2020 meeting. Administration shall make a budget request during the 2020 legislative session to fund this action item.
7. Administration shall make a CIP request during the 2020 legislative session for monies to plan, design, and construct an educational center at Hale P艒haku and/or another appropriate site on Maunakea that will educate visitors on cultural, environmental, and astronomy related topics relating to Maunakea.
8. The Maunakea Master Plan update will accommodate uses by Native Hawaiian cultural Practitioners.
9. A reorganization and restructuring plan shall be presented to the Board of Regents as to all advisory, operating, and funding bodies involved in the management of Maunakea by April 2020. The purpose of the plan is to improve operations and management and make it more efficient, effective and transparent. The reorganization and restructuring plan shall be embodied into a governance document that is approved by the Board of Regents.
10. As part of the reorganization and restructuring plan, an in-depth analysis will be done to determine whether the management of the Maunakea Science Reserve would be better served if transferred to a governmental authority or other third party entity, or through alternate
    management mechanisms (e.g., conservation easement agreement, etc.). The results of this analysis will be presented to the Board of Regents by April 2020.
11. The University will cooperate with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to resolve any outstanding issues relating to the roadway infrastructure on Maunakea and will seek opportunities to assist DHHL in its efforts to fulfill its trust duties and responsibilities on the use of its Maunakea lands.
12. As permitted by law, the University should pursue a partnership with an appropriate agency or organization whose primary beneficiary is the Native Hawaiian community, to operate commercial shuttles and tours on Maunakea.

The (OMKM) will conduct a study on the public and commercial tour capacity for University of Hawaiʻi-managed land on Maunakea. Daniel Spencer, a professor of tourism management at the 糖心视频 Mānoa , will lead the project.

The study is the result of increased usage of the 糖心视频or Information Station and Mauna Kea Science Reserve for sunrise and sunset viewing, sightseeing, educational programs, hiking and other purposes leading to concerns about impacts on the natural, cultural and scientific resources on 糖心视频-managed lands.

Current visitor volume, characteristics and demographics, and impacts, including by commercial tour operations, will be evaluated.

“The new Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) has made the road safe, easy to drive and now provides easy access to Maunakea and increased visitations, many of which are visitors from outside Hawaiʻi,” said OMKM Director Stephanie Nagata. “This study will help determine impacts from visitors and commercial tour operations so we can develop appropriate management strategies.”

Gov. David Ige and the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory announced on July 10 that construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) will begin next week. The Department of Transportation announced lane and road closures associated with large equipment movement that could begin July 15.

TMT will be constructed on Hawaiʻi-managed lands on Maunakea located in the conservation district regulated by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. On June 19, 2019, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) issued a notice to proceed to 糖心视频 Hilo for the TMT project. The permit was issued after DLNR confirmed the completion of the pre-construction conditions and mitigation measures required of the project in the Conservation District Use Permit.

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For the first time in more than 50 years, the sound of the ʻuaʻu or Hawaiian petrel [Pterodroma sandwichensis] was heard on Maunakea, thanks to research funded by the University of Hawaiʻi and the hard work of the Listening Observatory for Hawaiian Ecosystems Bioacoustics Lab.

The ʻuaʻu forage at sea and fly inland after sunset to build underground nests in higher elevation areas throughout the Hawaiian Islands, including Kauaʻi, Haleakalā on Maui, Maunaloa on Hawaiʻi Island and 尝腻苍补ʻ颈丑补濒别 on 尝腻苍补ʻ颈. They are a state and federally listed endangered species and are highly susceptible to introduced predators such as cats and mongooses when they are nesting.

“Finding ʻuaʻu on Maunakea has been a very challenging and rewarding experience,” said 糖心视频 Hilo graduate student Bret Nainoa Mossman, who along with 糖心视频 Hilo researcher Patrick Hart have been looking and listening for the seabirds and ʻōpeʻapeʻa, or Hawaiian hoary bats, at high elevations on Maunakea. “For me, it is a feeling of relief and hope to know that the ʻuaʻu of Maunakea have been able to survive despite all of the challenges they face and it is heartening to know that this species is still here for future generations to see and appreciate.”

The ʻuaʻu has been detected acoustically since 2018 at many locations near Maunakea鈥檚 Puʻukanakaleonui. In addition, a dead ʻuaʻu was recently found in the forest reserve above Puʻukanakaleonui on the eastern slope of Red Hill. Rediscovering ʻuaʻu on Maunakea indicates the species likely continues to use the mountain as a nesting site.

• Learn about how the bioacoustics lab is helping to revolutionize the field of ecology.

The University of Hawaiʻi invites the public to provide feedback on the latest draft of the proposed administrative rules to govern public and commercial activities on 糖心视频 -managed lands on Maunakea [Chapter 20-26, Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules]. The administrative rules are an essential resource management tool for public and commercial activities on 糖心视频-managed lands on Maunakea.

To learn more about how to obtain a copy of the rules and how to submit comments, . The notice provides several methods to allow interested persons the opportunity to submit data, views or arguments, orally or in writing, on the current draft by mail, online or at four public hearings on three islands:

• Monday, June 3, 2019, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 惭腻苍辞补 Elementary School, 3155 惭腻苍辞补 Road, Honolulu, HI 96822
• Tuesday, June 4, 2019, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Wai膩kea Elementary School, 180 W. Puainako Street, Hilo, HI 96720
• Wednesday, June 5, 2019, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School, 68-1730 Hoʻoko Street, Waikoloa, HI 96738
• Friday, June 7, 2019, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Pōmaikaʻi Elementary School, 4650 S. Kamehameha Avenue, Kahului, HI 93732

During this second formal hearing process, submissions will be received from Sunday, April 28, 2019, through Friday, June 7, 2019 (the last noticed public hearing). All oral and timely submitted written submissions related to the draft rules will be considered.

• The current draft of the rules can be found on the (select “proposed”)

This second round of public hearings is the latest step in the development of the rules. Following initial public outreach and consultations, the first round of four public hearings was held in September 2018 on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui and Oʻahu. A revised draft was prepared based on the comments and concerns received during those public hearings. That revised draft was then shared with stakeholder groups and the public during a three-month, informal outreach process that started in January 2019. The current draft of the rules includes revisions based on comments received during this informal outreach process. On April 18, 2019, the 糖心视频 Board of Regents approved having a second round of public hearings on this version.

The university has received hundreds of written and oral comments and suggestions during the formal and informal processes to date, and this input significantly shaped the latest draft. The public is strongly encouraged to continue to participate in the process.

Based on this round of formal public hearings, the rules may be further refined and brought back before the 糖心视频 regents in a publicly noticed meeting currently anticipated for July 18, 2019. At that time, the 糖心视频 regents would have a range of possible actions including: approve the rules provided there are no substantial changes; request a third round of formal public hearings on new draft rules that are substantially changed from the current draft; or defer decision-making. Further public testimony will be accepted at that meeting. If approved by the regents, the rules will proceed through the remainder of the administrative rules process to the governor for final review and approval.

Editor’s note: The Board of Regents approved the second round of public hearings at their April 18, 2019 meeting.

The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents is being requested to approve a second round of public hearings on a new draft of proposed administrative rules for Maunakea on Hawaiʻi Island. The administrative rules are an essential resource management tool for public and commercial activities on 糖心视频-managed lands on Maunakea. The regents will take up the request at their April 18 meeting at Leeward Community College.

The initial draft of the rules was the subject of the first round of public hearings in September 2018 on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui and Oʻahu. Based on concerns expressed about the initial draft at those public hearings, a revised draft was prepared. Among the issues addressed in the revised draft were concerns regarding Native Hawaiian traditional and customary rights, limits on the use of cell phones and flashlights, permit requirements for large groups and public assemblies, and allowing only four-wheel drive vehicles above Halep艒haku, the mid-level facility.

That revised draft was utilized during three-month informal consultation process that included meetings with stakeholder groups and an opportunity for the public to submit comments. In addition to direct outreach, approximately 108 written comments were received, in addition to approximately 140 responses from a third-party, online petition. These comments from the informal consultation were utilized to prepare the new draft.

The university is now proposing to hold a second series of four public hearings on the new draft administrative rules. These hearings would also be in Hilo and Waikoloa on Hawaiʻi Island; in Kahului on Maui and in Honolulu. The public is strongly encouraged to continue to participate in the process, as all testimony will be taken into consideration as the rules are finalized.

• Memo: Approval to hold second hearings on Maunakea administrative rules (PDF) If you require this report in an alternate format, email news@hawaii.edu

The purpose of the proposed rules (under Section 20-26-1) is to “provide for the proper use, management, and protection of cultural, natural, and scientific resources of the 糖心视频 management areas; to promote public safety and welfare by regulating public and commercial activity within the 糖心视频 management areas; to ensure safe and appropriate access to the 糖心视频 management areas for the public; and to foster co-management with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources and 糖心视频.”

If the request is approved, public hearings are expected to be planned for early June. The rules will then be updated if necessary and be brought back before the 糖心视频 Board of Regents for consideration at a publicly noticed meeting where further public testimony will be accepted. If approved by the Board of Regents at that time, the rules will proceed through the remainder of the Administrative Rules process to the governor for final review and approval.

An investigation into three individuals using skis and snowboards to travel down the snow-free summit area of Maunakea found that there was no damage to cultural, archaeological, natural or scientific resources. However, the report cited that the incident highlighted the need for administrative rules for public and commercial activities on University of Hawaiʻi managed lands on Maunakea, which the university is currently pursuing.

The incident was first reported on February 5 and drew widespread condemnation and an eventual apology from those involved. The investigation by the 糖心视频 Hilo Office of Maunakea Management was completed on February 13 and included a retracing of the most-likely route used on the snow-free cinder of Puʻupoliʻahu, from where the three individuals exited their vehicle; walked past the sign indicating Puʻupoliʻahu, a Hawaiian sacred site; hiked to the top and made their way downslope to a point where they hiked out to their vehicle.

• The February 2019 report (PDF) (If you require this report in an alternate format, email news@hawaii.edu)

There was no legal recourse to penalize the individuals because no laws were broken. 糖心视频 is in the process of developing administrative rules, an essential resource management tool that would address these types of situations. 糖心视频 is currently seeking public comment on the latest draft.

• The proposed draft (PDF)

Skiing and/or snowboarding in the same area as the incident, or when it is snow-free anywhere on the summit, would not be allowed under the current draft of the rules. The administrative rules would allow the university to cite and fine offenders, in addition to imposing a monetary assessment to recover costs related to damage that results from a violation.

The current request for public input is part of an informal consultation process that includes meetings with various stakeholder groups. The latest draft will be updated based on the feedback received ahead of a second round of formal public hearings, tentatively scheduled for spring. The public is asked to participate in the next round of public hearings, even if they submitted feedback during the informal process.

To provide comments on the informal draft, please submit (1) via email at MKRules@hawaii.edu; or (2) in writing to the 糖心视频 Government Relations Office, 2442 Campus Road, Administrative Services Building 1-101, Honolulu, HI, 96822. The deadline for informal comments is Friday, March 15, 2019, at 4:30 p.m.

Maunakea, Hawaiʻi鈥檚 tallest mountain, is one of the most revered places for many Native Hawaiians and astronomers. It鈥檚 also the only place in Hawaiʻi where you can find permafrost, a layer of ice and soil that is always frozen, commonly found in very cold regions of the world.

But the Maunakea permafrost, which may be over a thousand years old, is shrinking, possibly because of climate change. That鈥檚 according to research supported by the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo鈥檚 (OMKM), which is responsible for the stewardship of the mountain.

Scientists have been gathering data over a 10-year period to determine how the permafrost formed and persisted in an otherwise warm climate and is now on the decline.

“It is surprising to find permafrost in such a warm climate,” said Norbert Schörghofer, a planetary scientist and the lead researcher on the project.

The Maunakea permafrost was first discovered in 1969 by late 糖心视频 researcher Alfred Woodcock inside the craters of two cinder cones on the summit—Puʻuwēkiu and Puʻuhaukea.

It was an unexpected discovery since temperatures are above freezing most of the time atop Maunakea. Researchers say that when the wind comes to a standstill, pools of cold air form in these craters at night. That cold air trapped between the rocks helps preserve patches of ice and frozen soil in the craters.

“The bottom of these craters experience the coldest temperatures ever measured in Hawaiʻi,” said Schörghofer, a planetary scientist. “These record temperatures are below zero Fahrenheit, far lower than on the summit itself.”

Researchers found that there is less permafrost now then when it was first discovered 50 years ago. Back in 1969, the ice at Puʻuwēkiu was 11 yards thick and 27 yards long, buried beneath one foot of boulders. Since then, Puʻuwēkiu has shrunk significantly and the remaining ice body is expected to disappear soon.

The other permafrost location in Puʻuhaukea is still at least 55 yards wide and about 11 yards thick.

“This is the last permafrost in Hawaiʻi,” said Schörghofer. “It should be studied before it disappears.”