Mayor Harry Kim signaled his intent to shape the future of Mauna Kea during his first inauguration in 12 years.
While speaking Monday at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo, the mayor said he wants to see the mountain — the site of a dispute over the proposed construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope — become a park, which he later called a “people’s park” while talking to reporters.
While offering few details of his idea, Kim said he still wants the mountain, which is owned by the state and considered sacred by some Native Hawaiians, to be home to telescopes, and he maintains his support for TMT, if done with the “right mentality.”
“I stated the purpose of the park,” Kim told the Tribune-Herald. “It will be an international monument in regards to the symbol of Hawaii.”
He added: “In regards to all things of science — for one purpose, to make us a better people and better stewards of this land.”
Kim after the ceremony said his vision involves the park being managed by a group of citizens. The mountain currently is managed by the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Office of Mauna Kea Management, which includes a board of island residents.
During his speech, Kim said Hawaii can be an example of harmony for the world.
“I don’t understand why we have to go to the courts to resolve anything,” he said, regarding ongoing legal challenges for TMT. Kim said people need to listen to each other with their souls and that it’s time to “recognize wrongs and go from there.”
He said he will meet today with Henry Yang, chair of the TMT International Observatory, and intends to discuss his idea. He said he also is reaching out to UH and Gov. David Ige.
A UH spokesman said late Monday that he had not heard of the idea and couldn’t provide comment by deadline.
It’s not clear how Kim’s citizen management group would be different from the existing Mauna Kea management board, or, for that matter, how the mountain would be used differently.
The university’s master lease for the mountain ends in 2033 and any changes in management would likely have to occur after that date. That also likely would require legislative approval since the mountain belongs to the state — not Hawaii County.
Kim said his idea could be similar to a national park, though he acknowledged it would have to remain state land.
“It may be fantasy,” he said. “I hope not.”
Kim, who was mayor from 2000-08, also pledged to build trust in county government.
“We will do the job by the law,” he said. “We will make you proud of us.”
Kim replaces Billy Kenoi, who served two four-year terms, the most allowed by the county charter.
In 2012, Kim unsuccessfully ran against Kenoi, his former aide.
Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth and the nine-member County Council, including four new members, also were sworn in Monday.
Hamakua Councilwoman Valerie Poindexter was confirmed as council chairperson at a meeting that afternoon.
She said during the ceremony that the council will address the “diverse concerns of our island population.”
“In this new leadership role, it’s not about me,” Poindexter said. “It’s about us.”
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
