Bill Text: HI SCR29 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

---

Bill Title: Requesting The State Auditor To Conduct An Audit Of The University Of Hawaii's Activities Related To Mauna Kea.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-04-02 - Referred to FIN, referral sheet 51 [SCR29 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2018-SCR29-Introduced.html

---

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	29
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the state auditor to conduct a forensic financial audit of the university of hawaii's activities related to mauna kea.

 

 

     WHEREAS, Mauna Kea is the most significant cultural and astronomical site in the world; and

 

     WHEREAS, the summit region of Mauna Kea is a spiritual and special place of global significance that is home to cultural landscapes, fragile alpine habitats, historical and archaeological treasures as well as endemic species found nowhere else on the planet; and

 

     WHEREAS, the protection and preservation of Mauna Kea through proper management and stewardship is of statewide concern; and

 

     WHEREAS, since 1998, four audits by the State Auditor have been critical of the management, stewardship, and protection of Mauna Kea; and

 

     WHEREAS, although significant changes have occurred on Mauna Kea since the 1998 audit, negative experiences over the past fifty years have eroded public confidence and demonstrated the critical need for a forensic financial audit to look into the University of Hawaii's activities related to Mauna Kea; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2018, the House of Representatives concurring, that the State Auditor is requested to conduct a forensic financial audit of the University of Hawaii's activities related to Mauna Kea; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the forensic financial audit be limited to the following:

 

     (1)  Leases, including but not limited to:

 

          (A)  Mauna Kea science reserve, general lease S-4191;

 

          (B)  Hale Pohaku mid-level facilities, general lease S-5529; and

 

          (C)  Mauna Kea access road, nonexclusive easement lease S-4697;

 

     (2)  The University of Hawaii System;

 

     (3)  The Legal Affairs and University General Counsel Office of the University of Hawaii System;

 

     (4)  The University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy;

 

     (5)  The Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii;

 

     (6)  The Office of Mauna Kea Management, including but not limited to permits issued by the office to commercial tour operators to conduct tours on Mauna Kea and all revenues generated from those tours since 2005;

 

     (7)  The Office of Mauna Kea Management Board;

 

     (8)  The Kahu Kū Mauna;

 

     (9)  The University of Hawaii at Hilo Astronomy Program;

 

    (10)  The Mauna Kea observatories;

 

    (11)  Mauna Kea Observatories Support Services;

 

    (12)  The Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station;

 

    (13)  The Hawaii Island New Knowledge Fund administered by the Hawaii Community Foundation and the Pauahi Foundation;

 

    (14)  All financial expenditures from the University of Hawaii research and training revolving fund as it relates to Mauna Kea; and

 

    (15)  All contracts or professional services used for but not limited to:

 

          (A)  The Mauna Kea comprehensive management plan;

 

          (B)  Creating, implementing, and evaluating the comprehensive management plan; and

 

          (C)  Environmental impact studies conducted since 2010; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Auditor submit a report of its findings and any recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2020; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the State Auditor, Chair of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, President of the University of Hawaii, Vice President of Legal Affairs of the University of Hawaii, Office of the University General Counsel, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii, Office of Mauna Kea Management, and Department Chairperson of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

University of Hawaii; Mauna Kea; Audit