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Mauna Kea Stewardship Authority outlines timeline, says standing up agency is 'most complicated' task yet
Summary
Officials leading the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority told lawmakers they are 19 months into a 60‑month transition to assume management of Mauna Kea summit and mid‑level facilities and asked for continued support as they build staff and complete a master plan and finance plan required by Act 255.
The Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority told the House Finance Committee that it is in the early stages of a five‑year transition established by Act 255 (2022) and is building capacity to assume incremental management of the summit and the Hale Pōhaku mid‑level campus.
Why it matters: Act 255 established a new authority and provided recurring funds so the authority could hire staff, develop a master plan and financial plan and begin to manage the mountain. Observatory leases and long‑term stewardship of Mauna Kea are politically sensitive across the island and affect a range of stakeholders, including astronomy facilities and Native Hawaiian communities.
What the authority said: John Komegi, chair of the Mauna Kea Authority, told the committee the authority requested $14 million annually during the start‑up period and that the money has been appropriated on a recurring basis. “This is the most complicated thing that I’ve ever done in my life,” Komegi said, referring to the steps needed to stand up a new state agency and to assimilate employees from the University of Hawaii.
The authority reported it now has a small paid staff (three employees as of the briefing) and is developing a management and master‑planning timeline. It told lawmakers it plans to reuse elements of the University of Hawaii’s master plan where there is agreement, and to complete a new master plan, management plan and finance plan as required by the statute. The authority said it will track tasks to allow lawmakers and stakeholders to monitor progress.
Questions from lawmakers: Members asked whether the authority could meet the five‑year deadline and how the process would affect existing observatory leases and renewals. Komegi and board members said the authority will move as quickly as it can but must cultivate trust with communities and stakeholders so that planning and lease work are not rushed.
Next steps: The authority said it will continue community outreach, complete the statutorily required plans and provide timeline updates to the legislature as it fills staff and takes on additional management responsibilities.
