UH Regents Approve Proposed Maunakea Administrative Rules

The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents approved the latest draft of the administrative rules for University of Hawaiʻi-managed lands on Maunakea at a special meeting held Wednesday on the UH Hilo campus.

A total of 99 people testified at the marathon meeting that lasted just over 11 hours.

At its conclusion, the regents voted unanimously in favor of the rules with one amendment, eliminating the requirement that groups of 10 or more must register before entering UH managed areas.

The rules now advance through the remainder of the administrative rules process to Gov. David Ige for final approval.

The rules are detailed in a 627 page document that is available online.  The document does not yet reflect the elimination of the section regarding groups registration.

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

The current rules making process started in early 2018. The draft that was approved by the regents included revisions based on 738 written submissions collected, and 225 oral testifiers recorded, during two rounds of formal public hearings in 2018 and 2019.

The James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (left) and Submillimeter Array (right) atop Maunakea play a critical role in the success of the Event Horizon Telescope. Courtesy file image.