Kiana Ichinotsubo

The meeting agenda includes reports from Kahu Kū Mauna regarding a recent retreat and an Executive Director's report concerning the transition to the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, including updates on operational services, management plans, and environmental impact statements, as well as an update on the university master plan amendment. Additional agenda items involve information updates on the UST Site Plan application and the status of the Thirty Meter Telescope project. The board plans to hold an executive session to consult with legal counsel regarding powers, duties, and liabilities in their joint-management role.

The board received reports regarding Kahu Kū Mauna activities and an executive director's update on the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority (MKSOA) transition, including legislative updates to HB2592 and progress on the management plan and master plan amendments. The board recommended approval of a Memorandum of Agreement between the University of Hawaii and MKSOA concerning an operational services transition package to stabilize operations. Furthermore, the board entered an executive session to consult with counsel on joint-management roles and legal liabilities.

This Long-Range Strategic Plan for the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo outlines a vision to be a model university and community, inspired by Hawaiʻi Island's values, language, and culture, empowering learners to discover purpose and foster well-being. Its mission is to cultivate a vibrant, inclusive community through education honoring Hawaiʻi's Indigenous people and exploring local connections. The plan is structured around five value-based goals: establishing UH Hilo as a Native Hawaiian place of learning, addressing equity gaps, empowering learners for community contribution, advancing research with local and global relevance, and developing a resilient, student- and community-centered organization.

The Board discussed the operational transition to Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority (MKSOA), including legislative updates regarding House Bill 2592 which extended the transition deadline to 2029 and established milestones for management plans and administrative rules. The Board also reviewed confirmation statuses of members and considered a memorandum of agreement regarding operational services during the management transition period to ensure continued operational stability.

The board discussed reports from Kahu Kū Mauna regarding site plans and research proposals, and received an Executive Director's report detailing the transition of the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, legislative updates, master plan amendments, environmental impact statement status, and financial stabilization plans. The board also reviewed and approved an educational trail site plan application and held an executive session to discuss legal aspects of their joint-management role.