Meetings re: Draft of Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan

The Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan – review the CMP summary here – is, in my opinion, a strong attempt to malama (take care of) Mauna Kea.

The Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) process was begun by the Office of Mauna Kea Management long before Judge Hara required it be put together. I know, personally, that the individuals who developed it had the best interests of Mauna Kea in mind. This plan was not driven just to accommodate the Thirty-Meter Telescope.

While it’s true that individuals have different ideas as to how Mauna Kea should be taken care of, what we share is that we all want it done properly.

Project Overview

State law defines a “management plan” as a comprehensive plan for carrying out multiple land uses. The Comprehensive Management Plan for Mauna Kea, therefore, is a management plan that will specifically address multiple land uses on those lands managed by the University of Hawai’i (UH) on Mauna Kea.

The CMP will provide a management framework for the Office of Mauna Kea Management (OMKM) to address existing and future activities on these conservation lands, with the goal of protecting Mauna Kea’s significant cultural and natural resources. The CMP will build upon the previous management and master plans to update the management strategies for the range of activities on and uses of Mauna Kea. The CMP will include detailed information about natural and cultural resources, including management recommendations to ensure their protection, by incorporating plans currently being prepared by OMKM consultants. It will also consider how to process and manage existing and potential future uses of and activities on Mauna Kea, such as astronomy, recreational and commercial activities, scientific research, and cultural and religious activities.

The draft Comprehensive Management Plan incorporates suggestions from the general public that were gathered at a series of talk story sessions, community meetings and forums.

Now there will be a series of three meetings, as well as individual talk story sessions, for the general public to provide more input to the final document. At this second round of public meetings, Ku’iwalu intends to present a draft of management recommendations for the CMP for community review.

Upcoming Meetings
Kona Community Meeting (Round 2)
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 5-8 p.m.
Kealakehe Elementary School
74-5118 Kealakaa Street Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
Waimea Community Meeting (Round 2)
Monday, Nov. 17, 2008 5 – 8 p.m.

Waimea Civic Center
67-5189 Kamamalu Street Kamuela, Hawai‘i 96743
Hilo Community Meeting (Round 2)
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Keaukaha Elementary School
240 Desha Avenue Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720

These presentations give the public another opportunity to provide comments on the proposed Comprehensive Management Plan for Mauna Kea.