Mauna Kea Public Access Plan January 2010
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PUBLIC ACCESS PLAN FOR THE UH MANAGEMENT AREAS ON MAUNA KEA A Sub-Plan of the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan January 2010 Prepared for: Office of Mauna Kea Management University of Hawai‘i-Hilo 200 W. Kawili Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Prepared by: Sustainable Resources Group Intn’l, Inc. Island Planning Island Transitions, LLC 111 Hekili Street, Suite A373 1405 Waianuenue Avenue P.O. Box 202 Kailua, HI 96734 Hilo, HI 96720 Pa‘auilo, HI 96776 Acknowledgements The Public Access Plan was funded by the Office of Mauna Kea Management (OMKM). Interim Director Stephanie Nagata was instrumental in setting up and overseeing all aspects of the contract with Sustainable Resources Group Intn’l Inc (SRGII). She provided critical reviews of plan drafts and insight to the operational history and current policies that have shaped activities in the UH Management Areas on Mauna Kea over the years. Ms. Nagata and her assistant, Dawn Pamarang, were of great assistance throughout the project. Special appreciation is due to several groups and individuals. Members of Kahu Kū Mauna generously contributed their time as a group and in subcommittee and roundtable discussions to assist in this planning process. David Byrne, Visitor Information Station (VIS) Supervisor, was readily available and enabled his staff to meet with the planners, resulting in better understanding of the ranger program, daily operations at the VIS and appreciation of how the current management of public use on the mountain has evolved over the years. The Mauna Kea Rangers, both past and present, shared quality data, observations, suggestions and concerns that can only come from daily interactions with the public on Mauna Kea. Ron Koehler and his staff at Mauna Kea Observatories Support Services (MKSS), also provided essential insight into what it takes to safely accommodate public activities and maintain infrastructure in the challenging environment atop Hawai‘i’s highest peak. A list of plan participants is in Appendix C. Each of these nearly 100 individuals helped in a variety of ways: some participated in in-depth interviews; others attended structured roundtable discussions; and others responded whenever there were special needs or requests. Collectively this group served as the “brain trust” for the plan and each has contributed positively to the final outcome. Special thanks are due to Ron Terry whose commitment to good planning and resource protection on Mauna Kea is important to this and other recent planning efforts surrounding the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan. Steve McPeek provided excellent facilitation services for the roundtable discussions. Mahalo nui to Kirk Pu‘uohau-Pummill of Gemini Observatory who shared many of the quality photographs in the document, including the cover image. Other photographs were provided by individual rangers, OMKM and Lisa Hadway. Last but not least, this plan was inspired by ka ‘āina Mauna Kea itself. It was written with respect and recognition of the remarkable physical, cultural and spiritual values of this wahi pana, legendary place, so beloved by all who contributed to the plan. Mahalo nui loa! Mauna Kea Public Access Plan January 2010 Executive Summary This Public Access Plan (PAP) is a sub-plan of the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP). It was required as a condition of approval of the CMP by the Hawai‘i State Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) in April 2009. The purpose of the PAP is to provide guidance to the University of Hawai‘i (UH) in addressing public access in full cooperation with DLNR’s authority over public access and activities within the UH Management Areas, including the Mauna Kea Science Reserve, Summit Access Road, and mid-level facilities at Hale Pōhaku. The objective of the PAP is to provide a set of principles and policies to guide the University in the development of management actions relating to public and commercial activities and eventual administrative rules that will be subject to review and approval of BLNR.. The PAP also discusses current and future public and commercial activities in the UH Management Areas; terms of the lease with regards to public hunting, recreational activities and existing trails; public access-related issues; and makes recommendations regarding those issues. The University is responsible for the UH Management Areas on Mauna Kea under the terms of its lease agreements with BLNR. This responsibility includes the obligation to protect the natural, cultural and scientific resources on the lands leased from the State, and to work with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to ensure that the rich heritage of Mauna Kea is preserved for future generations. The University’s challenge lies in balancing the public’s right to access Mauna Kea while protecting its natural, cultural and scientific resources, responsibly managing its use, and protecting public health and safety. Key tenets of the Plan are: Public Resource The UH Management Areas on Mauna Kea are part of the Public Land Trust, and the State and UH hold these lands in trust for Native Hawaiians and the general public. Health and Safety The protection of public health and safety is of utmost importance to UH as manager of these public lands. Education The most effective management tool is the ability of each individual to take responsibility for his/her own actions and to be open to learning new behaviors. An informed public is best prepared to make good decisions and act responsibly. Traditional and Customary Rights The ability of Native Hawaiians to exercise their traditional and customary rights in the UH Management Areas is legally and constitutionally protected and subject to reasonable regulation of such rights as permitted by law. Adaptive Management Management decisions will be based on reliable data. Management actions will be adapted as lessons are learned from the outcomes of past and current management activities. Mauna Kea Public Access Plan January 2010 i Management Methods and Authority UH has the responsibility to adopt formal rules to manage public activities in the UH Management Areas, subject to review and approval of the BLNR. A range of management control methods will be used, with compliance first sought at the lowest levels of control. The Public Access Plan is organized into seven main sections: Section 1. Introduction Provides background, purpose and objective of the PAP; its relationship to the Mauna Kea CMP and other planning efforts; the PAP’s methodology; and highlights selected laws related to public access rights on public lands. Section 2. Description of Planning Area Describes the planning area geographically, its surrounding land owners and land use designations, and the UH and DLNR management entities involved. Summarizes the regulatory environment; describes the planning area’s infrastructure and important natural, cultural and scientific resources; highlights selected laws relevant to Native Hawaiian traditional and customary rights on Mauna Kea; and describes key health and safety concerns. Section 3. Summary of Public Activities Provides a brief history of public activities in the planning area; describes data sources and collection methods used; and describes what is currently known about the activity levels and impacts of the various user groups in the planning area. Section 4. Public Access Control Methods Describes the range of public access control methods currently available and used in the UH Management Areas, ranging from personal responsibility and education at the lowest levels of control, to higher levels in the form of contractual requirements and situational control, to collaborative and primary law enforcement at the highest level. Section 5. Principles and Policies Identifies a set of principles and supporting policies intended to guide the development of management actions relating to public and commercial activities and future administrative rules to be adopted for the UH Management Areas. Section 6. Issues and Recommendations Details the key public access-related issues that were identified by participants in the planning process and, for UH consideration, makes recommendations regarding the issues based on suggestions received as well as from other sources of information. Section 7. Public Access Management Plan Updates Recommends reviews and updates of the Public Access Plan every five years as part of the evaluation and revision process for the Mauna Kea CMP. Mauna Kea Public Access Plan January 2010 ii A list cross-referencing Mauna Kea CMP management actions to related sections in the Public Access Plan is provided in Table 1 to aid managers tasked with implementing both plans. The sections listed in the table provide background information related to, or other pertinent information in support of, the Mauna Kea CMP management actions. Table 1. Mauna Kea CMP Management Actions Cross-Referenced to the Public Access Plan PAP Mauna Kea CMP Management Action Section CMP Section 7.1.1: Native Hawaiian Cultural Resources Management CR-1 Kahu Kū Mauna shall work with families with lineal and historical connections to Mauna 2.3, 3.3.9, Kea, kūpuna, cultural practitioners, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and other Native 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, Hawaiian groups, including the Mauna Kea Management Board’s Hawaiian Culture 6.3, 6.8 Committee, toward the development of appropriate procedures and protocols regarding cultural issues. Conduct educational efforts to generate public awareness about the importance of 3.3.5, 4.2, CR-3 preserving the cultural landscape. 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 Cultural Practices Develop and adopt guidelines for the culturally appropriate placement and removal of 3.3.9, 5.2, CR-5 offerings. 6.1, 6.3, 6.8 Develop and adopt guidelines for the visitation and use of ancient shrines. 2.7.2, 2.7.3, CR-6 3.3.9, 5.2, 6.1, 6.3, 6.8 A management policy for the culturally appropriateness of building ahu or “stacking of 3.3.9, 6.3, CR-9 rocks” will need to be developed by Kahu Kū Mauna who may consider similar policies 6.8 adopted by Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.