The legislature finds that Mauna Kea serves as an important cultural and genealogical site to the people of Hawaii, particularly to Native Hawaiians. The summit region of Mauna Kea is a spiritual and special place of significance that is home to cultural landscapes, fragile habitats, and historical and archaeological artifacts. Due to its topographical prominence, Mauna Kea is also a highly valued site for astronomical study, which produces many significant discoveries that contribute to humanity’s study and understanding of the universe. However, in recent years, Mauna Kea has come to symbolize a rigid dichotomy between culture and science, often leading to polarization between stakeholders on Mauna Kea and local communities. This is a dynamic that plays out over many issues in many places. The critical significance of Mauna Kea for both culture and science offers an urgent and unique opportunity to surmount the dichotomy and develop new ways to mutually steward Mauna Kea. Therefore, a reformation of the stewardship of Mauna Kea is an issue of the highest priority in the State.

To commence the resolution of these issues to protect Mauna Kea and bring about a more harmonious coexistence of uses atop the mountain, the legislature has established the Mauna Kea stewardship and oversight authority and the governance structure contained in this chapter to protect Mauna Kea for future generations and manage the lands contained therein for the purpose of fostering a mutual stewardship paradigm in which ecology, the environment, natural resources, cultural practices, education, and science are in balance and synergy.

The legislature also recognizes that the enactment of this chapter is a pivot point that will require a transition, during which many principles and details will yet need to be ascertained. It is expected that amendments and additions will need to be made in future legislative sessions to ensure a mutually beneficial balance is always maintained for Mauna Kea and the people of Hawaii.

The legislature declares that the creation of the Mauna Kea stewardship and oversight authority and the transition and governance structure established in this chapter serve the public interest and are matters of statewide concern.