by IfA Director Doug Simons

1. Future of Maunakea Astronomy
&
Strategic Timelines this Decade

2. MAUNAKEA
OBSERVATORIES
Maunakea Science Reserve Master Lease
Signed in 1968, the MKSR Master Lease has been a gateway to
research, education, community and economic advancement
including billions of dollars in investment over the past ~50 years
The accomplishments that followed the signing of the Master
Lease could not have been predicted...
Gov. Burns leading delegation
up Maunakea Access Road

3. MAUNAKEA
OBSERVATORIES
Maunakea Science Reserve Master Lease
Nobel Prizes
Advanced
Technologies
Pōwehi
‘Oumuamua
Most Distant
Objects
Exoplanets
Maunakea Scholars

4. MAUNAKEA
OBSERVATORIES
Maunakea Science Reserve Master Lease
That and much more was accomplished, starting from
“scratch” ~50 years ago – what made it all possible was
Maunakea, earth’s unique portal on the universe

5. MAUNAKEA
OBSERVATORIES
Maunakea Science Reserve Master Lease
It is our collective kuleana to create a future for Maunakea
astronomy through the once in a century opportunity
represented by Master Lease renewal...

6. MAUNAKEA
OBSERVATORIES
What Needs to Happen Before Land Board
Approval of a New Master Lease?
Some prerequisites for MKSR Lease Renewal
Approval of UH administrative rules (done)
Completion of EIS and Governor’s signature as “recipient”
Comprehensive Management Plan update
Master Plan Update (current Master Plan expires 2020)
Negotiation of Master Lease T&C’s with MKOs and UH
Each non-UH observatory that intends to operate beyond
2033 must also negotiate a new sublease, linked to a new
Master Lease...
underway

7. MAUNAKEA
OBSERVATORIES
Sublease Renewal Timeline
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
2021 2027
Decom TBD
observatories
Negotiate
Master/sublease T&Cs
Funding agencies commit
to pursue subleases or
decommission
If >9 MKOs want new subleases UH
leads process to determine which
MKOs will receive them
New subleases issued
(assuming new
Master Lease in place)

8. MAUNAKEA
OBSERVATORIES
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
2020
Admin Rules Signed by Gov
Draft 2020 Master
Plan Released Draft EIS Released
Master Lease
T&C’s Vetted
Master Lease Land
Board Consideration
Contested Case
Requested or
Lawsuits Filed?
Hawaii Supreme
Court Ruling?
Comprehensive
Management Plan
Update
EIS Completed
Critical Juncture
TBD MKOs
Submit
Notices of
Intent to
Decom
Master Lease Renewal Timeline
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
2020
Admin Rules Signed by Gov
Draft 2020 Master
Plan Released Draft EIS Released
Master Lease
T&C’s Vetted
Master Lease Land
Board Consideration
Contested Case
Requested or
Lawsuits Filed?
Hawaii Supreme
Court Ruling?
Comprehensive
Management Plan
Update
EIS Completed
Critical Juncture
TBD MKOs
Submit
Notices of
Intent to
Decom
Duration of decommissioning and site restoration

9. MAUNAKEA
OBSERVATORIES
 Master Lease renewal impacts not just UH and the MKOs, but ground based
astronomy on a global scale this century – MKOs consistently comprise the most
scientifically productive astronomical research complex in the world
Some Important Considerations

10. MAUNAKEA
OBSERVATORIES
 Master Lease renewal impacts not just UH and the MKOs, but ground based
astronomy on a global scale this century – MKOs consistently comprise the most
scientifically productive astronomical research complex in the world
 The MKOs are interconnected – they aren’t “Legos” that can be easily taken apart
and reconnected
 MKO decom decisions have ripple effects that impact other MKOs including various forms of
cost sharing, infrastructure, weather forecasting, spare parts pools, HP, Rangers, etc.
 A “critical mass” of MKOs is needed to sustain Maunakea astronomy
 For the US, Maunakea astronomy is a key national asset
Some Important Considerations

11. MAUNAKEA
OBSERVATORIES
 International astronomy community is cautious
about long-term Maunakea investments
 Driven in large part by TMT protests
 Funding for future major instrumentation and
facility development projects likely linked to
Master Lease renewal
 TMT, MSE
 Large MKO observing programs (surveys)
typically run 3+ years so commitments to those
programs will become problematic in 2-3 years
 Most observing time at CFHT and UKIRT is in the form
of surveys
 Significant amounts of survey time on many MKOs
Some Current Impacts of Master Lease Uncertainties
TMT
Maunakea
Spectroscopic
Explorer

12. MAUNAKEA
OBSERVATORIES
 One of the most important remaining parameters
substantially under UH’s control is when Master Lease
materials are completed since that maximizes time for
future litigation
 Once BLNR consideration of Master Lease renewal enters
a judicial “bubble”, we are all more/less spectators
 Doesn’t matter what elected officials, UH, MKOs, NSF, Federal
governments, etc. think about the importance of Maunakea
astronomy once litigation reaches the Hawaii Supreme Court for
a final ruling
 A “bad” decision is just as damaging to UH/Maunakea astronomy
as one that’s too late
 The possibility of Maunakea astronomy being litigated into
oblivion may be the highest risk outcome on our planning horizon
Next ~5 Years are Crucial
Mid-decade
Litigation

13. MAUNAKEA
OBSERVATORIES
50 years ago Today
50 years in the future?
Looking forward, building off achievements over the past 50 years
which have left Maunakea astronomy #1 worldwide, the potential of
21st century Maunakea astronomy is astonishing
Closing Thoughts

14. MAUNAKEA
OBSERVATORIES
50 years ago Today
50 years in the future?
Closing Thoughts
Beyond astronomy, through community based management,
Maunakea should be the focus of advancing cultural, environmental,
educational, and other opportunities

15. MAUNAKEA
OBSERVATORIES
50 years ago Today
50 years in the future?
Closing Thoughts
With so much international attention now on Maunakea,
we can set a global example of melding diverse interests
in a revered landscape on the tallest mountain on earth

16. MAUNAKEA
OBSERVATORIES
Mahalo