Article: [vox.com] -------------------------
Thirty Meter Telescope website: [tmt.org]
[maunakeaandtmt.org]
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"Why Native Hawaiians are fighting to protect Maunakea from a Thirty Meter Telescope. (TMT)
----- The conflict has continued for more than ten years.
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TMT, which would become the largest telescope in the Northern Hemisphere, would significantly increase the footprint of activities on the summit of Maunakea. Cultural practitioners and environmentalists have numerous concerns about the impact the facility would have on natural resources ... The greatest concern among Hawaiian protectors is the impact the project will have on their cultural resources. They cite the environmental impact statement: “From a cumulative perspective, the impact of past and present actions on cultural, archaeological, and historic resources is substantial, significant, and adverse ... As per Hawaiian history and culture, Hawaiian religious cosmology deems Maunakea the sacred origin place of all Hawaiians, like the Garden of Eden, and where the first Hawaiian earth mother and sky father met, and the center of the Hawaiian universe. *Note: IMO, Hawaiians are using their religion as part of their argument that Maunakea is not suitable for TMT.
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On the other side, TMT says Maunakea is the best dark sky location globally, as both northern and southern cosmological areas can be viewed. At the alternative site of La Palma, Canary Islands, only the northern can be viewed. The international TMT organization committed to fund $1million a year for STEM education on the big island for grants, scholarships and endowment. Launched in 2014, it is already making a difference in the critical areas of science, technology, engineering and math. As of fall 2018, TMT has distributed over $4.5 million ... TMT has also initiated the Workforce Pipeline Program to prepare Hawaii Island students for science and technology jobs ... TMT is paying a $1 million per year lease. Eighty percent of the lease rent goes to the Office of Mauna Kea Management to malama (steward) the mountain and the remaining twenty percent goes to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.” *Note: IMO, TMT would be more respectful to offer these funds to all Hawaiians living in all the islands. TMT could try to build a cultural area on Maunakea where Hawaiians could gather to celebrate their cultural history. Because so much has been stolen from Hawaiians, TMT in conjunction with numerous other powers in the state need to recognize that fact in substantial ways for Hawaiians.
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In your opinion, what could the proponents for the TMT and the protectors of Maunakea do to compromise with each other?
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Educational and financial support for the community
bobwjr
Level 10
Aug 11, 2019
1
Yes, the community, yet I think it needs to be offered to all Hawaiians too.
I feel that if the protesters succeed in stopping the TMT from being built on Mauna Kea, it would be a symbolic victory only and would be to the detriment of the economical, educational and spiritual benefits for Hawaii.
The protest draws attention to issues which should be addressed, of course, but turning away this boon for Hawaii does not right any wrongs.
The issues should be addressed on their own, not by the unrelated effects of blocking a public road, keeping hard working employees from getting to work, stopping the research already going on so that a year's worth of research is lost. The location of TMT on the mountain does not interfere with any cultural or ecological sites.
The TMT can become an extension of the cultural significance of Mauna Kea, continuing the Polynesian tradition in the study of astronomy. The TMT project managers have extended a hand, offering many benefits for Hawaii as well as the protection and enshrining of Hawaiian culture, spirituality and wisdom.
A dialog should start with honesty, not fictitious propaganda. I'd like to see the protectors/protesters acknowledge that the TMT project is actually beneficial to all and does not detract in any way cultural practices which have recently begun to take place there. (Note: There were no cultural practices on Mauna Kea before the telescopes, and the road leading to them, were built, at least not to the degree the protesters would have anyone believe.)
Address the issues such as previous mismanagement, Hawaiian Sovereignty, cultural traditions and religious practices each on their own merit, not tied to an unrelated project that is beneficial to Hawaii. Hand in hand, we can reach for the stars and feel the connectedness that unites us all.
Julie808
Level 8
Aug 11, 2019
1
Thanks very much. That is so well stated and answers many particulars of the telescope controversy!
I don't believe there is a real controversy between Hawaiians & TMT. There is much controversy about the long-term plights of Hawaiians, who have had much taken from them historically. It should be remedied conscientiously by the State and Federal governments. And Hawaiians need to keep open minds too!
@AnonySchmoose Agree, and the remedy should come from the government. The TMT is a private endeavor, yet has extended quite a lot of benefit to the people of Hawaii already and will continue to do so in many ways. Open minds, going forward, not backward, is my feeling.
A poll in today's Star Advertiser Newspaper shows most of their online readers feel the protest is unfairly blocking the road for the telescope employees who just want to get to work to feed their families. The government is allowing the protest to keep people from their jobs, delay construction of a project that would employ hundreds of people over the next 10 years, and offer many benefits to lift up Hawaii's youth.
The protest has also cost tens of thousands of dollars for police protection and law enforcement on the Big Island, and even $68,000+ from Maui Police Department sent over to the Big Island to help enforce the law... This is tax payer money being spent on an issue that has already been decided in the courts. Makes many unhappy, but also afraid to voice their opinions, lest they be labeled as against the Hawaiians, which is not the case.
Build the telescope and build a cultural Center. Properly planned it could work out for everyone
Our_existence
Level 9
Aug 10, 2019
2
My friends and I had that idea too!
I’ve followed this a little bit from the indigenous perspective. The response to the peaceful protecters has been an aggressive, over-militarized one. The government has called in LRADs, though the ACLU challenged the order. In one incident, protectors blocking roadways were arrested and charged with obstructing government operations, even though this is a private project, not a government operation. I would pay closer attention to Indigenous concerts: They’re protecting both cultural and natural resources. In the end, compromise always favors the colonialists.
Bobbyzen
Level 8
Aug 10, 2019
1
Anony, I'm not sure anything would satisfy the local group. I'm sensitive to Hawaiian culture and I believe they have been taken advantage of in the past especially by the early missionary families. I have Hawaiians that work for me in Kona and we have had discussions. I do feel that culture and religious beliefs intermix. Mauna Kea is the worlds premier location for telescopic science. It can't be duplicated anywhere. It has the advantage of clear air and low city light interference. As in most situations there is no clear answer. In my opinion the scientific gain out ways the loss in cultural convenience.
rogueflyer
Level 8
Aug 10, 2019
1
I ditto your views. I feel there should be room for compromise on both sides of the issue. University of Hawaii appears to have not managed the other sites adequately. The anti-TMT Hawaiians are antagonized because the Aina of Mauna Kea was not respected previous to the TMT. I feel that disrespect of the Aina equates to disrespect of Hawaiians, so they are no longer willing to compromise because of this and other insults and indifference.
@AnonySchmoose There should be some way to find common ground between the two groups. I've seen in our shop the awakening of Hawaiian employees where by working in the system how their life can change. Science brought Europe out of the Christian Dark ages and Christianity survived.
@rogueflyer
Again, ditto.
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