EnVision Maunakea was created in response to the need for civil, productive dialogue on the issues surrounding Maunakea and what it means to our island community. There are many voices with critical insight to share, and it is vitally important their voices are heard and their perspectives are respected.
The EnVision Maunakea working group came together in late 2015 to seek funding and infrastructure support for the launch and implementation of the process. Through community-based recommendations and a rigorous selection process, the working group established the Hui Ho‘olohe, a volunteer community advisory group with autonomous oversight of information collection and report preparation throughout the process.
On May 25, 2016, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Chancellor Straney signed a letter of endorsement for EnVision Maunakea. In the letter, he promised, “I will work to ensure the feedback gathered informs all current and future planning and policy efforts concerning Maunakea.” The letter in its entirety can be viewed here: here.
EnVision Maunakea Timeline
SUMMER 2015
Initial concepts for EnVision Maunakea explored.
FALL 2015
EnVision Maunakea working group formed.
FALL 2015 – SPRING 2016
Exploratory program design conversations begin with community members, elected officials, University of Hawai‘i administration and others.
MAY 25, 2016
UH Hilo Chancellor Straney endorses EnVision Maunakea and commits to incorporating final report into future planning and policy efforts concerning Maunakea. Letter of Endorsement
JUNE 2, 2016
EnVision Maunakea is presented to members of Kahu Kū Mauna cultural advisory council to the Maunakea Management Board, and receives affirmations of support
JUNE 22, 2016
EnVision Maunakea is presented to the Maunakea Management Board for comment and input
SUMMER-WINTER 2016
EnVision Maunakea commences public outreach to identify volunteer members of the Hui Ho‘olohe
Progress report provided to Chancellor Straney regarding implementation and status, while additional ‘Aha Kūkā continued
FEBRUARY 27, 2017
EnVision Maunakea announces the Hui Ho‘olohe and commencement of ‘Aha Kūkā listening sessions, and outreach efforts: Envision Maunakea News
MARCH 18, 2017
EnVision Maunakea process officially begins with the first ‘Aha Kūkā
SPRING – SUMMER 2017
Status reports will be issued, including preliminary findings, if available, while twelve ‘Aha Kūkā are underway.
SUMMER – WINTER 2017
Fourteen (14) additional ʻAha Kūkā sessions held in Hilo, Waimea, Kona and North Kohala
WINTER – SPRING 2018
Hui Hoʻolohe members used audio recordings and facilitator notes from all the ʻAha Kūkā sessions along with written documents received to draft the EnVision Maunakea Summary Report
MARCH 31, 2018
EnVision Maunakea Summary Report posted to the website and distributed to ʻAha Kūkā participants, government officials, agencies and organizations.
Working Group Founding Members
Susan Maddox, Friends of the Future
Greg Chun, University of Hawai‘i
Ka‘iu Kimura, ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center
Stephanie Nagata, Office of Maunakea Management
Doug Simons, Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope
EnVision Maunakea Funders
EnVision Maunakea’s total $250,000 operational budget was derived from grants and charitable contributions from the University of Hawai‘i Institute for Astronomy, Office of Maunakea Management, ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center and Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope.