Maunakea Authority – 01/08/26

MAUNAKEA STEWARDSHIP AND
OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY (MKSOA)
BOARD MEETING
688 Kinoʻole Street #212
Hilo HI 96720
Telephone (808) 272-0259
Website: http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/maunakea-authority/

MEETING AGENDA

Thursday, January 8, 2026 – 10:00 am
In person at 640 N. Aʻohōkū Place, Hilo, HI

This agenda and the listed submittals will be provided in the Board Packet. This
meeting will be held using interactive conference technology under section 92-3.7,
Haw. Rev. Stat. (HRS). Board members, staff, applicants, testifiers, and the public can
choose to participate in person, online via Zoom, or by telephone.

The public may also view the live meeting via its live stream at:
https://www.youtube.com/@MaunaKeaSOA

To Provide Written Testimony: We encourage interested persons to submit written testimony in advance of the meeting, which will be distributed to Board members prior to the meeting and allow a timely review. Please submit written testimony via email to: [email protected]. Written testimonies can also be mailed to: 640 N. Aʻohōkū Place, Hilo, HI 96720. Written testimonies may be posted upon the Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting website; as a precaution, please be mindful with any personal information prior to submitting unless you intend it to be shared. Late written testimony will be retained as part of the record and distributed to Board members as soon as practicable, but we cannot ensure the Board will receive it in sufficient time to review, prior to decision-making.

To Provide In-Person Oral Testimony (masks are appreciated): Attend in-person at: 640 N. Aʻohōkū Place, Hilo, HI 96720

To Provide Testimony by Telephone: On the day of the meeting at the start of the agenda item you wish to testify on, dial 1-669-444-9171 (Zoom), input Meeting ID: 986 9951 5770, Passcode: 523433 Note: to unmute, press *6

To Provide Video/Zoom Testimony: Please send your request in a timely manner to: [email protected] with your information, email address, and the agenda item you wish to testify on. Once your request has been received, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link via which to testify. You may testify without signing up in advance. Requests may be made during the meeting and will be processed as soon as practicable.

Further Assistance: If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, contact MKSOA Board Secretary at [email protected], 808-272-0259, as soon as possible. Requests made as early as possible have a greater likelihood of being fulfilled. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate/accessible formats.

Board Packet: Materials may be viewed prior to the meeting at 640 N Aohoku Place, Hilo HI 96720 the MKSOA website: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/maunakea-authority/

If you would like to be notified of meetings and agenda notices, please email [email protected].

I. CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME PROTOCOL

II. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS

III. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 11, 2025 REGULAR AUTHORITY MEETING

IV. CHAIR REPORT – Public Testimony taken (written or oral) on any of these items

A. Status of Draft Legislative Bill

V. GOVERNANCE – Public Testimony taken (written or oral) on any of these items

VI. ADMINISTRATION – Public Testimony taken (written or oral) on any of these items

A. Report by Executive Director (ED) De Fries

1. Review of MKSOA Annual Report to 33rd Legislature, 2026 Session
2. Status of Hiring Process
3. Organizational Chart Submitted to State Senate Ways and Means Committee (WAM)
4. Update on the Formation of MKSOA Advisory Groups
5. Status of Act 255 Mandate to Conduct an Assessment on Whether the University of Hawaiʻi School of Astronomy Should be Relocated, in Whole or in Part, to the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

B. Status of Long-Term Transition Working Group (LTTWG), Report by Member Kudo

VII. MKSOA MANAGEMENT PLAN – Public Testimony taken (written or oral) on any of these items

A. Progress Report by Kua o Wākea: Introduction of project website to fortify community engagement efforts and to keep the public informed

VIII. CENTER FOR MAUNAKEA STEWARDSHIP (CMS) OPERATIONAL UPDATE – Public Testimony taken (written or oral) on any of these items

A. Project Updates

1. UKIRT Notice of Intent to Decommission (Type C) – Action Item

2. CMS Fire Mitigation Plan and Site Plan Application (Type B) – Action Item

3. Subaru Monitoring Equipment Upgrade (Type A) – Information Only

IX. MKSOA-CMS JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (JMC) Public Testimony taken (written or oral) on any of these items

A. Update on Development of Financial Stabilization Plan

X. FINANCE – Public Testimony taken (written or oral) on any of these items

A. Report by Interim Administrative Services Officer Unebasami- December Financial Report Including Appropriations, Budget, Expenditures, Balance

The Authority may go into Executive Session pursuant to Section 92-5(a)(4) to consult with the Authority’s attorney on questions and issues pertaining to the Authority’s power, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities.

XI. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. NEXT AUTHORITY MEETING- FEBRUARY 12, 2026, 10:00AM-12:00PM; KŪKAHAUʻULA, INSTITUTE FOR ASTRONOMY (IFA) 640 N. AOHOKU PL, HILO

    1. VERIFICATION OF ATTENDANCE AND QUORUM (AUTHORITY MEMBERS)

 

XII. ADJOURNMENT