Who should control the summit of Mauna Kea?

The University of Hawai'i has long wanted this authority over the land it leases. It makes the sensible point that the Mauna Kea Science Reserve needs the protection of thoughtful, well-organized management.

But whether UH is the best entity for the job has been questioned by environmentalists and native Hawaiian groups, who believe UH has a bias toward promoting astronomical research.

Bills moving through the Legislature — SB 502 and HB 1174 — give UH the authority it wants. The bills spell out only in general terms the university's obligations to meet the needs of all those who have a legitimate stake in the Mauna Kea reserve.

Nonetheless, UH has the right idea: Replace the multiple, sometimes ineffective layers of management with a single entity that has clear jurisdiction to write and enforce rules, collect fees and fines and control a special fund to manage the reserve.

Still, the university's inclination to advance astronomical research must be balanced with its overall responsibility for other aspects of Mauna Kea. That should be carefully considered by lawmakers weighing both proposals.

A good place to start is with the university's proposed comprehensive management plan for Mauna Kea released last month. That plan spells out management strategies for the reserve, including addressing cultural and environmental concerns and should be carefully reviewed by state officials and lawmakers.

The plan, which needs Department of Land and Natural Resources approval, should ensure a balanced approach to managing Mauna Kea.

The 11,000-acre reserve contains a unique alpine environment, with flora and fauna found nowhere else. It's a sacred place steeped in Hawaiian tradition, literally a home of the gods. And it's among the world's most important locations for astronomy. It's also a destination for tourists, amateur stargazers and locals who want to play in the snow.

Strong, focused management of Mauna Kea, and the funding to back it up, is sorely needed. The state auditor has pointed to failures by the state to adequately protect Mauna Kea from cultural and environmental degradation.

As if to punctuate the point, illegal off-roaders recently caused permanent scarring near the summit, including the Kanakaleonui cinder cone.

It's time to find a better way to protect and manage one of our most precious resources.