What's Being Discussed

The Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority (MKSOA) is holding its regular board meeting on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Hilo. Key topics include:

• An update on the Aspirational Statement required by state law (Act 255)
• Progress on hiring an Executive Director for MKSOA
• Updates to the Mauna Kea Management Plan and the Operational Services Transition Package
• Status of the Long-Term Transition Working Group
• Updates from the Center for Maunakea Stewardship (CMS) on an Education Trail and Greenhouse Project, an underground storage tank project, and a Hawaiʻi Fire Department high-altitude training exercise
• Discussion of an Interim Joint Management Proposal, a University of Hawaiʻi Master Plan Amendment, and a Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) proposal
• A financial report covering the July budget, spending, and available funds

Decisions Expected

The board is expected to vote on two action items:

• Approving additional FY 2026 funds for an existing contract with the Research Corporation of UH to support an administrative rulemaking project
• Approving additional FY 2027 funds for the same contractor to support an internal systems development project

Who Should Pay Attention

• Residents and kama'āina who care about the stewardship and future of Mauna Kea
• Native Hawaiian community members interested in cultural and land oversight decisions
• Astronomy and research communities connected to University of Hawaiʻi operations on the mountain
• Anyone interested in how public funds are being managed for Mauna Kea oversight

The public can attend in person, watch via YouTube livestream, or testify by Zoom or phone. Written testimony may be sent to mka.testimony@hawaii.gov.