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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
68 |
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TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF THE approval and decision-making procedures, and the project approval process of the mauna kea science reserve.
WHEREAS, Mauna Kea hosts unique spiritual, cultural, historical, and natural resources, and is a significant and endangered site in this State; and
WHEREAS, Mauna Kea is home to some of the world's rarest plant and animal life, many of which are designated endangered species, including the Wekiu bug, found nowhere else in the world; and
WHEREAS, Mauna Kea is now considered one of the world's premier sites for astronomical research because the rarified atmosphere surrounding its summit makes for excellent viewing conditions; and
WHEREAS, Mauna Kea now hosts the world's premier observatories, which are owned by some of the world's wealthiest nations and premier research institutions; and
WHEREAS, the astronomy research facilities located on the summit of Mauna Kea bring international recognition and status to the University of Hawaii and its Institute for Astronomy; and
WHEREAS, the astronomy research industry is a valued economic activity for the island of Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, the economic potential of Mauna Kea should be fully realized, while also vigorously protecting its natural and cultural resources; and
WHEREAS, in February 1998, the Auditor issued Report No. 98-6, Audit of the Management of Mauna Kea and the Mauna Kea Science Reserve, which was highly critical of the management by the Institute of Astronomy and the Department of Land and Natural Resources over the science reserve, finding that the management was inadequate to ensure protection of the natural, cultural, and historic resources of the science reserve; and
WHEREAS, in response to the concerns raised by the Auditor's report, the University of Hawaii completely revised and updated its existing master plan for Mauna Kea, and developed a new Mauna Kea science reserve master plan (2000 master plan) which was approved by the Board of Regents on June 16, 2000; and
WHEREAS, in August 2000, pursuant to the 2000 master plan, the Office of Mauna Kea Management was established at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, which assumed the authority for overall management and decision-making for operational matters and minor projects of the Mauna Kea science reserve; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Mauna Kea Management provides advice and recommendations to the Institute for Astronomy and the Board of Regents on all matters pertaining to the science reserve that may involve community, environmental, cultural, historical, and other concerns; and
WHEREAS, as part of the new management structure under the 2000 master plan, two advisory groups, the Mauna Kea Management Board, consisting of seven members representing various community stakeholders appointed by the Board of Regents, and Kahu Ku Mauna, consisting of nine native Hawaiian kupuna, were established to advise the Office of Mauna Kea Management on community, environmental, cultural, historical, and other matters; and
WHEREAS, despite the implementation of the new management structure under the 2000 master plan, public dissatisfaction with the management structure continues to be broad-based and persistent; and
WHEREAS, in an update to Report No. 98-6, provided on March 2, 2004, the Auditor reported that management of the Mauna Kea science reserve by the University of Hawaii continues to be inadequate; now, therefore;
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Auditor is requested to conduct a follow-up audit of the Mauna Kea science reserve, to determine:
(1) Whether the existing approval and decision-making procedures for the Mauna Kea science reserve, as set forth under the rules of the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the University's 2000 master plan, sufficiently address the concerns of local groups with a strong interest in the historical and natural preservation of the mountain, including traditional culture practitioners, environmentalists, and recreational users;
(2) Whether a new project approval process is necessary or desirable to adequately address the concerns of those local groups with a strong interest in the historical and natural preservation of the mountain, as well as the projected impact of implementing a new approval process on the management structure for the Mauna Kea science reserve;
(3) The impact of a new project approval process on the economic viability and projected goals of the science reserve;
(4) Whether other approval procedures, such as those for geothermal resource subzones in chapter 205, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or for the Kaho`olawe island reserve in chapter 6K, Hawaii Revised Statutes, are suitable models for use in the management of the Mauna Kea science reserve; and
(5) Any other matters deemed appropriate to the project approval and decision-making process for the management of the Mauna Kea science reserve; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is also requested to determine the feasibility and necessity of creating a new management authority with responsibility to maintain, operate, and manage the Mauna Kea science reserve and facilities attached thereto; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor address the following matters regarding the adequacy of the maintenance, operation, and management of the Mauna Kea science reserve:
(1) Collection of rents, fees, and charges for the use or enjoyment of the reserve;
(2) Contracting procedures and recommendation as to the proper contracting authority;
(3) Rulemaking authority pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes;
(4) Authority to hire and terminate employees;
(5) Adequacy of promotion of the preservation and protection of the natural, cultural, and historical resources of the reserve, as well as the planning, promoting, and marketing of the reserve;
(6) Identification of potential funding sources to support the operations of the authority; and
(7) Any other matters deemed appropriate or pertinent to the management of the Mauna Kea science reserve; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to report findings and recommendations to the Legislature, including recommended legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2006; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the University of Hawaii, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Auditor.
Report Title:
Mauna Kea Reserve; Audit