REMINDER: Virtual public forum on new Maunakea Master Plan set for Oct. 6

Link to video and sound (details below): https://bit.ly/2VuRlMK

The University of Hawaiʻi will host a virtual forum where the public can ask questions via email about the draft of a new Maunakea Master Plan on Wednesday, October 6, 5–7 p.m. The event will be livestreamed on the UH YouTube Channel.

The 122-page draft of the new plan, Master Plan for the University of Hawaiʻi Maunakea Lands; E Ō I Ka Leo (Listen to the Voice), is posted for public review and comment.

The new plan will guide land use decisions on UH-managed Maunakea lands and serve as a framework for aligning land use decisions, management actions and educational programs. The existing Master Plan was adopted in 2000 with an intended 20-year lifespan. 

UH Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship Executive Director Greg Chun will be answering the questions during the forum. 

“Everyone has a legitimate interest in what happens to these lands and how they are utilized,” said Chun in the September 12 announcement on the draft of the new Maunakea Master Plan. “We strongly encourage everyone to play a role in this master plan’s development and tell us what they think.”

The public is asked to email their questions to eforum@hawaii.edu prior to the forum. Questions will be answered during the forum with those questions submitted earliest being the most likely to be addressed.

The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the plan at the Maunakea Master Plan website (https://maunakea.konveio.com/). The online platform simplifies review and engagement by allowing commenting within the virtual document for greater public convenience. The website lists alternative methods to provide feedback including U.S. mail, voicemail and an online general comment form. 

UH is accepting public comments on the draft Master Plan up through Tuesday, October 26, 2021. All comments/feedback and forum questions will be taken into consideration as the draft is amended before going to the UH Board of Regents for review and possible further changes before final approval, which is expected in early 2022.

VIDEO BROLL: ( 2:00 )

Maunakea wide shot

Maunakea Rangers

Native species monitoring

Greenhouse

Native plant restoration

Historic property monitoring

Visitors on summit

SOUNDBITES: 

 Greg Chun, Center for Maunakea Stewardship Executive Director 

(:15)

“This plan is trying to be responsive to the many values and obligations that we as an institution have for managing public lands. So everyone in the public has a legitimate interest in what happens to these lands and how these lands are utilized.”

 (:06)

“We invite, we encourage, we really want people to come and tell us what they think about the plan.”

 (:15)

“It needs to be updated because the existing master plan which was developed in 2000 had a 20-year life. And so it’s time for us to update it. We need to also update it because it’s a crucial step in securing a new master lease.”