The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents approved a new master plan Thursday for its land on Maunakea — land highly coveted by astronomers and held sacred by some Native Hawaiians.
The new plan limits the number of telescopes on Maunakea to nine, and provides a framework for land-use decisions when it comes to the university’s 11,000 acres on the mountain.
After more than two hours of public testimony and upwards of 1,450 comments, the Board of Regents voted 7-1 to adopt the new Maunakea Master Plan. Regent Diane Paloma was the lone no vote. Three members were excused.
Kauaʻi Regent Robert Westerman defended his support for what he called a “plan in progress."
"To do nothing is a lot worse than having a plan that might not be perfectly matched for everybody's needs. We've been accused of not managing the mauna. And this is what we're doing, we're trying to manage the mauna," Westerman said.
The university has been criticized for long-standing and well-documented mismanagement of Maunakea in at least four state audits dating back to 1998.
The summit is currently home to 13 astronomy observatories, five of which are set to be torn down in exchange for the planned construction of the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope, or TMT.
Roughly half of the testifiers at Thursday’s Board of Regents’ meeting spoke against the plan for various reasons including distrust in the university and opposition to further development.
Board of Regents’ Chair Randy Moore, who voted for the new plan, heard this from testifiers.
"Maunakea is in some ways a symbol for injustices that have gone back a number of years as many have said and whatever happens with the master plan, whatever happens with the telescopes, will not address those issues," Moore said.
Healani Sonoda-Pale took offense to this characterization of the testimony against the new master plan. She’s the public affairs officer for Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi Political Action Committee.
"It was disappointing to hear them be so dismissive of testimonies that talked about the historical trauma, the injustices that the Hawaiian people have had to endure," Sonoda-Pale said. "It was right for our people to say something about this and to put it into that context and it is important for our voices to be heard as the indigenous people of this land upon which the university sits."
Hawaiʻi Island Regent Alapaki Nahale-A, who earlier voiced support for those calling themselves kiaʻi or protectors of Maunakea, ended up voting for the new master plan – a move he hopes will not alienate those who testified against it.
"I hope that for us, as regents, and for those watching, we don’t continue to practice votes like this, meaning no one is listening and no one cares. I hope those who are concerned and hurt will still have a conversation about how we can do better," Nahale-A said.
The plan titled "E Ō I Nā Leo" or "Listen to the Voice" replaces the previous one adopted in 2000. The new master plan was needed in order for UH to receive an extension on its Maunakea master lease, which currently expires in 2033.
State lawmakers are also considering changes to how Maunakea is managed. Members of the House of Representatives are drafting legislation in response to recommendations made by a working group that met to discuss the issue last year.
Click here for more information on the Maunakea Master Plan.
