HONOLULU, Hawaii – Following Governor David Ige’s press conference in which he laid out his vision for future stewardship of Mauna Kea, University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner responded with a statement to reporters, saying that the university “can and must do better.”

The governor was critical of the state’s management of Mauna Kea (a responsibility which falls to the university’s Office of Mauna Kea Management under the Mauna Kea lease agreement with the Department of Land and Natural Resources.) Ige outlined ten actions that he wants to see the university to agree to.

Lassner read this statement to reporters today:

The university deeply appreciates the governor’s strong commitment to improved care for Mauna Kea. We share that commitment. We agree that the University can and must do better. We apologize for where our efforts have fallen short to date. The specific actions that the governor has requested today are consistent with what we have heard in public testimony, discussions, and meetings with numerous community members and stakeholders over the last two months. We appreciate his support, as accomplishing many of them will require close collaboration with the state and other partners.University of Hawaii President David Lassner

President Lassner added that UH will have more information within the week.

Photo courtesy University of Hawaii