Mauna Kea is a resort located in Hawaii that has been a subject of controversy for several years now. The land on which the resort stands has been a point of contention between the government and the indigenous people of Hawaii, who claim that the land was illegally taken from them. In this article, we will take a closer look at who owns the Mauna Kea Resort.
The History of Mauna Kea
The Mauna Kea Resort is situated on the island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island. The land on which it stands was originally owned by the Kingdom of Hawaii.
However, in 1893, a group of American businessmen overthrew the government and took control of Hawaii. The new government then granted ownership of the land to private individuals.
In 1965, Laurence Rockefeller bought 1,800 acres of land on Mauna Kea with the intention of building a luxury resort. The construction took several years to complete and opened to guests in 1965. Since then, it has been owned by various companies and individuals.
The Current Owners
Today, the Mauna Kea Resort is owned by an investment firm called Pacific Hospitality Group (PHG). PHG is a company that specializes in hotel management and owns several other properties across California and Hawaii.
However, ownership of the land itself is still disputed. Native Hawaiians claim that the land was illegally taken from them and have been fighting for its return for several years now.
The Protests
In 2019, protests erupted when construction began on a new telescope near Mauna Kea. Native Hawaiians believe that building telescopes on sacred land is disrespectful and have been fighting against it for years.
The protests gained national attention and celebrities like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson showed their support for Native Hawaiians’ cause by speaking out on social media.
The Legal Battle
The legal battle over the ownership of Mauna Kea has been ongoing for several years. In 2015, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that the state should not have issued a permit to construct a telescope on Mauna Kea without first conducting an environmental impact assessment.
However, construction continued despite protests and legal battles. In December 2021, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that the state had failed to protect Native Hawaiian rights when granting permits for the construction of telescopes on Mauna Kea.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pacific Hospitality Group currently owns the Mauna Kea Resort in Hawaii. However, ownership of the land itself is still disputed and Native Hawaiians have been fighting for its return for several years now. The protests and legal battles surrounding Mauna Kea highlight the ongoing struggle between indigenous peoples and governments over land rights and sovereignty.