MEDIA RELEASE

The 2010 state Legislature authorized the University of Hawaii to develop and adopt Administrative Rules for public and commercial activities in the UH Management Area on Mauna Kea.

This process will formalize many of the operational guidelines already in effect in the summit region and bring them into conformance with adjoining Natural Area Reserve and Forest Reserve rules. The primary focus of the rules will be to protect natural and cultural resources and promote public safety.

To begin public outreach on this process, Hawaii Island planner Jeff Melrose, under contract to the Office of Mauna Kea Management, will share information on current public and commercial use of the UH Management Area and look for input from the community on related issues during Waimea Community Association’s Town Meeting at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, May 5 in Waimea School cafeteria.

This is a very preliminary session; draft rules and formal public hearings to adopt proposed rules are not expected until very late in 2011 or early 2012.

Also on the agenda will be introduction of the new Parker Ranch CEO Dutch Kuyper.

Everyone is invited to WCA Town Meetings and there is no membership required to participate in WCA activities.

All who attend WCA monthly Town Meetings are asked to continue the association’s commitment to supporting Waimea’s food pantries by bringing a donation – preferably cash, a check, KTA Sav-A-Tapes and/or Foodland Makai My Rewards – or non-perishable food items.

Cash or checks are given to Waimea’s Annunciation Catholic Church food pantry to purchase vegetables, fruit and milk as well as other essentials. Checks may be payable directly to a food pantry so the donation is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

For more information about Waimea Community Association, call President Sherman Warner at 885-1725 or visit www.WaimeaTown.org