Should UH manage Mauna Kea's summit?

[Kapoho Joe]

quote:

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Originally posted by rainyjim

The UH doesn't manage public lands, the office of Mauna Kea management manages Mauna Kea.

Educate yourself!

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It has always been my understanding that the OMKM operates under UHH. Especially considering that their email address is omkm@hawaii.edu

[MarkD]

Yes, there is something unusual here with the UH link that I do not understand. Do we have misdirection?

[rainyjim]

I'm confused, so do you guys think that professors and administrators are busy spending time managing the Mauna Kea area that they should be spending on other duties?

How is low enrollment connected?

I still don't understand the rationale of why UH shouldn't manage the area. Any additional explanation would be appreciated.

[Kapoho Joe]

Managing such an important piece of land with so many varied stakeholders does not strike me as the job of a University, especially not a public one that is beholden to the taxpayers.

Anything that takes away from education which this MK usage argument does is wrong(when your own students are protesting you, that might be your sign). 'Nuff said.

[rainyjim]

So your rationale is limited to "doesn't strike me" (reads: because I said so), and because some of the TMT protestors were UHH students?

Don't take this offensively KJ, I'm just wanting to make sure I understand you. Did I miss anything / is there anything else you would add to why UH shouldn't be in charge of management?

[Kapoho Joe]

Yeah Jim - I don't like it, that's all I got.

Considering that UHH is a publically funded endeavour, that's all I need.

[TomK]

OMKM does not affect the enrollment or teaching activities of UH. The OMKM board, which is where the decisions are made about managing the science reserve on Mauna Kea, does not consist of people affiliated with UH. Although funding does come from UH, those costs are essentially borne by the IfA which is able to do so given their costs are reduced as they have 15% observing time at the observatories. The rest of OMKM's funding for things like road maintenance and costs related to the VIS and Hale Pohaku comes directly from the observatories. Teaching staff play no role in the OMKM.

[Kapoho Joe]

No, of course teaching staff plays no role. The Chancellor and other administrators do though and imho, those people have their hands full just now.

[TomK]

Well, if the management of the science reserve is moved to a different entity, an almost certain consequence is the current UH lease of the area goes away and so does the opportunity to use the Mauna Kea telescopes for research and teaching. This will mean the STEM courses UH offer will be significantly affected since many of those teaching staff will move elsewhere. I don't think that would help UH enrollment and teaching.

[Kapoho Joe]

"an almost certain consequence" is not exactly a foregone conclusion.