HB2024 - Mauna Kea Stewardship Summary

• Establishes the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority as an independent agency to manage Mauna Kea lands, with an 11-member board including representatives from state agencies, the University of Hawaii, astronomy observatories, Native Hawaiian practitioners, and business/education experts.

• Authority assumes joint management with University of Hawaii during a five-year transition period (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2028), then gains full control of all land management, permits, and leasing decisions on Mauna Kea.

• Implements a moratorium on new leases during the transition period; requires the Authority to develop a comprehensive management plan incorporating cultural practices, environmental protection, and astronomy development with limitations on observatory expansion.

• Mandates reserved viewing or observing time of at least 7% from astronomical observatories for University of Hawaii, prioritizing Hawaii students and Hawaiian-language education programs.

• Appropriates $14 million for startup costs and establishes a Mauna Kea management special fund; requires annual reports to the legislature and a performance audit by 2031.