Mauna Kea, a sacred site for Native Hawaiians, has faced resistance from activists and conservationists who argue that the construction of a massive telescope on its peak could potentially spoil the land. The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is being built at Mauna Kea, despite its potential to be a turning point in the fight for basic rights and recognition as Indigenous people.
Activists, including native Hawaiians and conservationists, have protested the TMT multiple times between 2014 and 2019, arguing that its massive size could potentially spoil the land on Mauna Kea’s summit. A study of public and commercial tour capacity on Maunakea is proceeding, but tourism on the mountain has been at a standstill for over a month.
The protests are seen as part of a long push toward more self-determination for Native Hawaiians, but there is little progress. Cultural practitioners who claim to stand in protection of Mauna Kea, as a sacred Native Hawaiian site, have been protesting telescope development on the mountain since it first began in the 1980s.
Hawaii tour companies are beginning to experience negative effects from the protest blocking access to the state’s highest volcano. The people blocking the roadway are referring to themselves as protectors, not protesters, and are working to prevent the construction of a massive telescope.
Despite the pandemic, protectors are still working to prevent the construction of a massive telescope, many of which were built without proper permits and over community protests and lawsuits expressing concerns about environmental impact. Protecting Mauna Kea is crucial to Indigenous sovereignty and demonstrating respect to the first peoples of the islands.
📹 Maunakea Rangers warn public of hazards, vehicle restrictions to summit
Maunakea Rangers of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship (CMS) are urging the public to exercise …
Why are Native Hawaiians protesting against tourism?
Tourism development in Hawaii often destroys cultural and historical symbols and land-based resources, leading to the destruction of ancient Hawaiian burial grounds, archaeological historic sites, and sacred places. Community opposition often stems from these cultural issues, leading to the perception that there is no respect or concern for the culture and identity of Hawaiian people. In recent years, a well-known ancient Hawaiian burial ground was excavated for a condominium resort project on Kauai’s Keonaloa island, leading to community opposition and the setting aside of a one-acre parcel to relocate all excavated burials.
Recently, hundreds of bones were returned to Kauai from the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D. C., and interned at the site. On Maui, a developer’s excavations unearthed over 1100 intact burial bundles, leading to anger from local community groups. After mass demonstrations and strong community support, the developer was stopped and asked to discontinue the project.
How does Mauna Kea affect Hawaii?
The Mauna Kea summit in Hawai’i is a sacred landscape for Native Hawaiians, representing worship, ancestral burial sites, and a life-giving source of fresh water. Greenaction supports the protection of Mauna Kea and opposes the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Project, which would have irreversible environmental impacts on the aquifer and desecrate sacred lands. The TMT summit is already overburdened by thirteen previously built telescopes, which have been proven to leave toxins.
Greenaction stands in solidarity with the “We Stand with Mauna Kea” and “Protect Mauna Kea” movements and protective actions. Governor David Y. Ige encourages people to take action to stop the TMT construction.
How has Hawaii been affected by tourism?
Tourism in Hawaii is displacing Native Hawaiians and increasing costs, threatening the islands’ cultural heritage. The number of tourists is overwhelming the local population, leading to a housing crisis where houses are bought by tourists instead of locals. This has forced Kanaka ‘Ōiwi (locals) to move further out, unable to maintain their traditions or routines. The cost of living has skyrocketed due to increased demand for real estate, and residents of islands like Maui and Oahu rely on resorts and hotels for jobs.
How does the fire affect tourism in Hawaii?
Residents of West Maui, a historically dependent tourism hub, believe the rebuilding process offers a rare opportunity to address overtourism, environmental degradation, and economic imbalance. In October, over 17, 000 people signed a petition calling for the Governor to delay the reopening to address the needs of working-class Lahaina residents. The Hawaii Tourism Authority estimates the state has lost $9 million tourism dollars per day in the wake of the fire, prompting the agency to invest $2.
6 million in the Maui Marketing Recovery Plan to help rebuild travel demand. Kainoa Horcajo, who grew up on Maui and spent most family occasions in Lahaina, believes that better management of tourism is necessary for the betterment of the local population. Lahaina’s history with colonial forces has contributed to its current reliance on tourism, with the Bayonet Constitution undercutting Indigenous sovereignty and resulting in an agricultural export-based economy. Local opinions on a solution range from banning tourism entirely to pleas for visitors to return ASAP.
How does Mauna Loa affect the people around it?
Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano, presents a multitude of hazards to its inhabitants, including lava flows, explosive eruptions, volcanic smog, earthquakes, and local tsunamis, which have the potential to cause considerable damage to the surrounding environment.
What is the controversy over Mauna Kea?
The Mauna Kea Observatories, a mountain in Hawaii, has faced opposition from locals and environmentalists since its construction in the late 1960s. Native Hawaiians believe the mountain is sacred and that developing it for science would spoil the area. Environmentalists are concerned about rare native bird populations and the sight of the domes from the city. The Outrigger Telescopes Project, intended to build interferometry telescopes, was cancelled in 2006 due to improper limitations on NASA’s Environmental Impact Statement.
The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), one of the world’s largest optical telescopes, has been the focus of protests over its continued development. The Supreme Court of Hawaii approved the resumption of construction of the TMT in October 2018, despite concerns from environmental groups and activists about endangered species habitat.
What is the controversy with Mauna Kea?
The Mauna Kea Observatories, a mountain in Hawaii, has faced opposition from locals and environmentalists since its construction in the late 1960s. Native Hawaiians believe the mountain is sacred and that developing it for science would spoil the area. Environmentalists are concerned about rare native bird populations and the sight of the domes from the city. The Outrigger Telescopes Project, intended to build interferometry telescopes, was cancelled in 2006 due to improper limitations on NASA’s Environmental Impact Statement.
The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), one of the world’s largest optical telescopes, has been the focus of protests over its continued development. The Supreme Court of Hawaii approved the resumption of construction of the TMT in October 2018, despite concerns from environmental groups and activists about endangered species habitat.
Why are people protesting Mauna Kea?
The Audubon Society opposed further development on Mauna Kea due to concerns over the habitat of the endangered palila, an endemic species to specific parts of the mountain. Over 50 native bird species had been killed off due to habitat loss from early western settlers or the introduction of non-native species competing for resources. Hunters and sportsmen were concerned that the hunting of feral animals would be affected by telescope operations. However, none of these concerns proved accurate.
A “Save Mauna Kea” movement was inspired by the proliferation of telescopes, with opposition believing development of the mountain to be sacrilegious. Native Hawaiian non-profit groups like Kahea oppose development on Mauna Kea as a sacred space to the Hawaiian religion.
Today, Mauna Kea hosts the world’s largest location for telescope observations in infrared and submillimeter astronomy. The land itself is protected by the US Historical Preservation Act due to its significance to Hawaiian culture but still allowed development. The Outrigger and Thirty Meter Telescope proposals are still opposed by environmental groups and some Native Hawaiians. NASA went ahead with the proposal for lack of an alternate site.
The group Mauna Kea Anaina Hou made several arguments against the development, including the sacred nature of Mauna Kea and concerns over native insects, ceded lands, and an audit report critical of the mountain’s management.
Why were these Hawaiian citizens protesting?
Queen Liliuokalani and her citizens successfully protested the annexation of Hawaii by petitioning Congress. Two Hawaiian groups, Hui Aloha ‘Aina and Hui Kulai ‘aina, organized a mass petition drive to gather signatures from native Hawaiian citizens. Between September 11 and October 2, 1897, they collected signatures at public meetings on the five principal islands of Hawaii. The Hui Aloha ‘Aina petition, marked “Petition Against Annexation”, was signed by 21, 269 native Hawaiians, more than half of the 39, 000 reported by the Hawaiian Commission census for the same year. Four delegates arrived in Washington, DC with the petition, and Queen Liliuokalani planned to present it to the Senate during the second session of the 55th Congress.
Why don’t Hawaiian natives like tourists?
The Hawaiian population exhibits a general disinclination towards tourists, citing a number of factors. These include the high costs associated with tourism, the impact on natural resources, increased traffic, and a perceived disregard for cultural practices. This sentiment has the potential to result in a situation where tourism becomes a more significant priority than the well-being of the island’s residents.
What would happen if tourism in Hawaii stopped?
Tourism is a significant revenue source for the Hawaiian islands, supporting over 200, 000 jobs and contributing billions of dollars in visitor spending annually. However, local Hawaiian perspectives argue that the money generated by tourism doesn’t directly benefit locals but rather benefits large corporations that target visitor spending and occupy much of Hawaii’s land. This leads to an economic disparity in Hawaii, as most businesses on the island that tourists shop at aren’t owned by natives, benefiting corporations rather than struggling locals.
📹 Why this Thirty Meter Telescope became a MASSIVE controversy
The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) promises to capture images 12 times sharper than those of the Hubble Space Telescope, but …
Meanwhile, no one protests the Hawaii Volcano Observatory on another adjacent sacred Volcano. No one. No one protests another McDonalds or Hooters or Mega Resort, while most Native Hawaiians are impoverished and obese and suffer huge rates of preventable diseases. The TMT project agreed to disasemble several other abandoned telescopes that now litter the mountain that the military had built, nevermind that University of Hawaii is one of the promary project managers and would benefit all of Hawaii and even all of Humanity. This site is one of the best locations on Earth to watch the sky for near earth objects, like the one that killed the dinosaurs. Did the Hawaiians get screwed and lied to repeatedly over the years? Absolutely. Is non profit science and discovery and education to blame for that? Absolutely not, this is just the arbitrary cause that Hawaiians have chosen to put their foot down over and its a damn shame, because like I said, I lived there for 20 years, and no one cares when another mega resort goes up, or when another mcdonalds goes up, undercutting a local owned restaurant. Of ALLLL the things to oppose, pure science and discovery is the saddest thing in ages. The ancient Hawaiians revered the heavens and navigated by the stars, this modern anti-science lilt is just sad.
Sad that so many falsehoods were aired without challenge. Bones of high chiefs, nope. Origin story… well, one of several Hawaiian origin stories, likely ‘rediscovered’ in the 50s or maybe late 1800s. “Unblemished”… The Hawaiian ancestors dug a huge rock quarry up there. And on and on. Anyways… Could someone please explain exactly how the TMT would desecrate Mauna Kea. I’ve been asking that for quite a while, and no one has answered. As for “the people”… The TMT has been in the news in Hawaiii for a long long time. Back in 2015 there was a big protest. According to the polls we have, the majority of Hawaiians support the TMT. The majority of native Hawaiians supported the TMT until really recently. When pushed, many of the so-called “protectors” will admit that it isn’t about Mauna Kea or the TMT… it is about “sovereignty” or some other larger issue which really has nothing at all to do with the TMT. The TMT is just a “soft target”… ironically because they actually care and tried to do right by the native Hawaiian community. The people blocking the road who aren’t just woefully misinformed are holding the TMT hostage to vent their understandable grievances about other things and using it as a rallying point to show their “strength”. That’s simply unjust. If they were protesting against something deserving (say the military base 9 miles down the road), then a lot of TMT supporters would be on their side. PS: These folks are claiming to speak for “the people”… well, they simply don’t.
FYI, I live on the Big Island and work in astronomy at another observatory. It’s hard to be considered a desecrator by my mere existance… especially when I know that prior to the protests, the only folks we ever saw up on the mountain were tourists and observatory staff… TMT will be good for Hawaii and TMT is trying so hard to do this right. I just wish the protests could focus in what they are for instead of what they are against.
This research has led me to some conclusions. First, there are indeed places on Mauna Kea that are sacred. These are places where Hawaiians have continuously participated in traditional and customary practices; so there are unquestionably specific geo-cultural sites on Mauna Kea that are protected, and the practices that are associated with these sites meet all the defining criteria of being traditional and customary. But the extension of sacredness to the entire mountain and the air column above it gives rise to questions about how much cultural validation there is for the idea that this pre-empts any and all other uses of the mountain. I found no documentation indicating that Mauna Kea, as a whole, is sacred. I could not find any reference to any blanket of sacredness over the entire mountain and the air column in any of the usual sources of validation — not even in the Kumulipo Hawaiian creation-origin chant, or in the writings of Native Hawaiian historians of the 19th century like Samuel Kamakau, David Malo, John Papa ‘I‘i and Kepelino. Beyond the blanket-of-sacredness claim, there is nothing else on record to suggest any validated sacred places would be disturbed by the construction or operation of the TMT. Validated sacred places include the peaks of Pu‘u o Kūkahau‘ula, Pu‘u Poli‘ahu and Pu‘u Lilinoe, Lake Waiau, and various heiau (temples), ‘ahu (altars), ana (caves), lua kā ko‘i (quarries), and ilina (burials). In fact, I believe the decision about the TMT’s location was made to ensure that no sacred site was violated, nor access to any sacred site impeded.
From Wikipedia: “n 1893, local businessmen and politicians, composed of six non-native Hawaiian Kingdom subjects, five American nationals, one British national, and one German national, all of whom were living and doing business in Hawaii, overthrew the queen, her cabinet and her marshal, and took over the government of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Historians suggest that businessmen were in favor of overthrow and annexation to the U.S. in order to benefit from more favorable trade conditions with its main export market. President Grover Cleveland considered the overthrow to have been an illegal act of war; he refused to consider annexation of the islands and initially worked to restore the queen to her throne. Between December 14, 1893 and January 11, 1894 a standoff occurred between the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom against the Provisional Government to pressure them into returning the Queen known as the Black Week. This incident drove home the message that president Cleveland wanted Queen Liliʻuokalani’s return to power, so on July 4, 1894 the Republic of Hawaii was proclaimed to wait for President Cleveland’s second term to finish. Also in 1894, as lobbying continued in Washington, the royalist faction was secretly amassing an army of 600 strong led by former Captain of the Guard Samuel Nowlein. In 1895 they attempted a counter-rebellion, and Liliʻuokalani was arrested when a weapons cache was found on the palace grounds. She was tried by a military tribunal of the Republic, convicted of treason, and placed under permanent house arrest in her own home.
Whats funny about this protest and pretty much most political protest is arrogance of few hundred people to claim they speak for an entire population when they clearly do not. Hawaii has a population of 1.4 million I see maybe a couple of hundred protesters. Even to claim a couple of hundred people can speak for native Hawaiians is silly. That would be like claiming the cast of Breaking Amish represent the views of the Amish people as a whole. The truth is TMT made it through the review process and court challenges because most of the population including native Hawaiians support TMT. Though I fully support the protesters right to be there and to continue to voice their opposition to the project, they don’t have the right to block construction. Honestly they should try actually respecting the will of the Hawaiian people of whom they claim to represent.
It is a renowned FACT that Hawaiians were incredible stewards of the land. We knew (and still know) what was best for our ‘aina through our cultural practices and stories. Mainlanders dont seem to understand exactly what it is we do, so with that lack of understanding, it’s easy to say that TMT would be a “good idea”. No matter, Hawaiians should have the say of what gets built in our home. Not the other way around. Period.
I saw a photo were it said “Look at the People before you look at the stars! People have been taking away from natives far too many times. You cannot just take and say oh we are going to boost the economy. Try build it on Mt Fuji and see what the Japanese have to say and how sacred their mountain is. Try and build it on any Holy Land and see how that goes.
All of this reportage but no mention of the fact that 5 observatories are being decommissioned, 3 sites permanently, no new sites can be used for development and more acreage is being restored that developed for the TMT. No mention of the the $1,00,000 contribution to the State of Hawaii school system, sponsorship of the workforce development pipeline or the $1,000,000 lease rent that partially goes to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Also no mention of the Contested Hearing that contained over 40 days of testimony from 70+ witnesses and that the TMT still prevailed and that this decision was appealed to the Hawaii State Supreme Court, the protestors claims were then again examined and TMT prevailed. In the contested case hearing Paul Neves (wearing the black tie) said that the TMT would block the view of Haleakala from his preferred view plane, an image of the TMT was superimposed in the view plane and Haleakala could still be completely seen. Paul had no answer. And this is how the contested hearing went. Each of the protestors claims crumbled under cross examination. This article is biased by omission. You have no idea what it’s costing Hawaii to not build the TMT.
Mahalo for this. The last part of it is most important. There was never a treaty of annexation and the University of Hawaii does not own this land and thus is not at liberty to lease it out to the TMT project. There is continuing international litigation around this issue. And, btw, it is not just Native Hawaiians who care about this issue. There are many supporters of preserving Maunakea intact and the illegality of all the 13 other projects on the mauna who represent many peoples from many countries. Ku Kia’a Mauna. Oakland CA
Keep the TMT here! As a native Hawaiian who’s lived on the Big Island all my life, I’m rather saddened by the narrow mindedness of the protesters. Is not the endeavor of Exploration sacred as well? Our ancestors were adventurous, skilled Explorers. If not, they would have never discovered our islands in the first place. Is there not sanctity in that? The TMT (as well as the other telescopes) are a reflection of this sanctity’; this spirit of Exploration. EMBRACE IT, Hawaiians… don’t rebuke it!
Not building TMT on Maunakea will not restore the Hawaiian Kingdom, will not resolve the Treaty of Annexation issues. Not building TMT will take away educational opportunities from generations of Native Hawaiians, jobs & careers as well. Native Hawaiians need to be empowered. TMT will help with this if the Hawaiians want it. Many have spoken and most want TMT. What have TMT opponents / protesters offered to their OWN people as far as education and much needed jobs to the local community if TMT is NOT built. NOTHING, NOT A DAMN THING. NOTHING
May sound like a superfluous question but I would like to know why exactly is it that they don’t accept this telescope. The top of this mountain is already packed with astronomical facilities so I don’t think one more telescope will make a big difference. It’s as though they think that the mountain itself has feelings and each construction on the top can theoretically hurt the mountain. I respect cultures, I work at an airport actually and part of my job is being exposed to different cultures, races, backgrounds, etc but there’s a limit to that, there’s a border between respecting a culture and not being taken seriously because something is simply ridiculous. in other words, how are you expected to be taken seriously when you’re trying to stop human growth and advancement about the knowledge of the universe to just save a “sacred” mountain that is only sacred to Hawaiians and nobody else? Think about it. Does that sound reasonable? Does that sound fair? On the one hand we have Moana Kea which is believed to be sacred and a very important site for almost every Hawaiian but on the other hand we have the 30 meter telescope which is not exclusive to a country or to a culture but is the key to unlock the answers we have all been trying to find which concern the entire human race, not just an island. If you put these two on a balance which one is more reasonable? To save a mountain that is holy to a few thousand people or to construct a telescope that will be useful for 7 billion people?
I have visited to the Mauna prior to start of protective activity. It is indeed a spiritual place whose uniqueness needs to be preserved and protected from further desecration by additional structures. Previous destruction is evident by existing telescopes and associated buildings. One must actually visit, in-person, to gain a full appreciation. No more destructive construction should be permitted on the Mauna – ever. Every religious group has spiritually important locations that are respected and reserved. Allow the native Hawaiian to protect and preserve their Mauna and all their native lands for future generations. The true native Hawaiian people are not scenic attractions. They are people of great pride, honorable, peaceful. People who view the natural world respectfully and treasure it’s beauty. I stand with the Hawaiian peoples as they protect their native lands.
This is more than a simple issue. You are talking about a portion of land that is a sacred part of Hawaiian peoples. Leave them alone, this land belongs to the Hawaiian people, enough has been taken from them illegally from the beginning! Put that machinery somewhere else!!!!!!!!! I am not Hawaiian, just an American citizen tired of rich companies getting away with highway (Mountainway) robbery
Sorry, but the religious beliefs many say we’re uniquely Hawaiian came ashore when the islands were found by Polynesians back when Rome was an empire and the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas had been there for perhaps 10K years. Indeed Hawaii shares much of its culture/faith with those that landed but like many gave it there own interpretation once there. Like any human group the Hawaiian’s were often as brutal and in many ways shicking when the West found them nearly 250yrs ago being practically Neolithic in practices/outlook. They sacrificed people for religious/power reasons usually by capturing those of another band in the islands and killed those who broke taboos like sitting/speaking to those outside your caste without being given permission. Women especially young girls were especially vulnerable since they were forced to wed those not of their heart but a tribal leader/hierarchy because of polygamy. Indeed it was so segregated that Women had to set apart at meals and their rights/life could be quite arbitrary depending on taboos. Those protesting are in the minority of Hawaiian desendents who believe that returning to the old ways without the bloodshed should be Hawaii future but some also want the islands out of the US
Classic case of stopping progress, for A mountain. Regressive. You only hear about these people when their’ slowing something exciting, it’s sad there’s people like that out there. I’m not impressed by people acting “culturally enlightened”, AND STOPPING true progress, and something actually enlightening, stopping something you can peer into the depths of the universe with, for an asphalt mound. “tallest mountain on the Earth”- OK. Please. It’s funny too, their’ not pumping oil up there, it connects the mountain to the stars in A very real way.
Building a telescope ontop the mountain does not ruin it, but it does not kill it. If there are burial sites there, those should be accommodated but the conservation of a story, should not hinder scientific progress. The mountain is beautiful, and always will be. This project is not for the good of one person or even a group of people. This project will help everyone on Earth.
The spokesperson for TMT is the living breathing example of colonialism and paternalistic thought towards Indigenous Peoples. I have to laugh that he talks about consultation, there was no consultation with we Native Hawaiians, it was with the State of Hawaiʻi which is NOT the same as consultation with we the native people of this land. This is the same as saying, “Letʻs build a telescope in the middle of both the Vatican and Arlington National Cemetery”. For us, that mountain is as sacred as the Vatican is to Catholics and the mountain is full of burials, many of them of our high chiefs of Hawaiʻi island, a number of whom my family are related to. Why is it unthinkable to build in other peopleʻs sacred sites without consultation but it is okay to do to us.
Kaniela Ing has a very tenuous relationship with the truth and very little credibility (just Google his name and you’ll see). There are 13 observatories (not 22!), 2 of which are in the process of being decommissioned as part of the deal to build TMT with 3 more to follow. So TMT = fewer telescopes on Mauna Kea. The site chosen for TMT is the best place to minimize visual, environmental, and cultural impact.
This is a very fascinating article, as a man of science I’m all for building a huge telescope to learn more about what’s beyond our Earth and solar system, however ethically I am also very moral to other people’s religions and culture so I do believe that this shouldn’t be done on what they consider very sacred.
My first reaction was “science shouldn’t have to yield for religion”, but considering the social context and history, and the fact that there are other options elsewhere, I think it makes sense to not build it here. And I agree with the core message : we should fix our clear and present problems of social inequality and environmental damage before turning our heads to space, or looking for other planets to screw up.
My cousin worked for the construction company during the building of KECK observatory. Many ancient bones were found..he and other kanaka workers didn’t want to continue, the company owner made it a fact that if they said anything, they would lose their job and would never work with any other company ever again. Our Mauna is sacred. Aloha TMT! Ku Kia’i Mauna!! Great article btw.🤙🏽
It’s actually a beautiful process, that if scientists and community coming to a consensus about how they want to proceed for the progress of civilization. That’s why the protest is peaceful, because they achieve there objective of promoting their culture, while scientists achieve the knowledge that will able advance culture into the future with discovery of many nearby stars, plantets and asteroids.
It is disheartening to see that these people selfishly value their own unpopular Hawaiian spirituality over a scientific endeavor that will pursue truth for all, and benefit humanity. It’s fair to say these Hawaiian protesters are NOT altruistic. Although, I would be against the TMT too, if I confidently believed that creation started atop that scared/normal mountain, but I could never be so hasty and thoughtless to protest such a humanitarian project.
3:20 “even if you think it is sacred what does that mean?” what a tool, for an astronomer he’s not very bright. Sacred: connected with God or a god or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration. 6:40 “the repercussions for TMT going are severe in terms of reputation of Hawaii worldwide in terms of law & order in the state but also in terms of addressing social issues for native Hawaiians” so he does not want the Hawaiian people to have control of their own land, his comment also sounded a bit like a threat, there will be repercussions unless the telescope goes ahead as planned.
I get it that its sacred. I believe in sacred things too. I think you should respect those things if you agree. But its also science. Do these people reject to use the positive incomes of science? Because life is sacred too, and the galaxies, the waste space of the universe, the quasars, the nebulas… They also made a court process, which the locals lost. They should build the structure with the highest precaution against the mountain. I dont think this protest is actually about that mountain. I dont think the mountain will became desacred after the telescope, if they will be able to finish there… Also this royal order guy feels more like a mobster and not a wise modest hawaiian man…
Cry me a river……..Auē noho’i ē, this Hawaiian BS. at least your able to peacefully protest how your sacred land is used without inciting a riot, without inciting murder, without inciting an international incident. At least you don’t have UNESCO say that just because your sacred land is on the wrong side of a political border less then a century old, the fact that your ancestors saw your sacred land as sacred land for millennia, that your ancient sacred works describe it as such, that your spiritual feelings don’t matter because of politics. Ahahana, Hawai’i!
okay so I am from hawaii and you make them sound like they are terrible people(i mean it is CNet so what do you expect) Honestly Hawaiians do care for science but it’s the fact that where they are building on a part of the land that is sacred, not only that water under the mountain that’s fresh, not to be rude or anything but people in the comments dont seem to understand why we protest (plus we already have like 10+ telescopes on there) the stars in the hawaiian culture is important as it is a way that guides them when they travel on the beat (hokulea) and also a much as I understand both sides here obviously boils down to science vs culture In a way what I am trying to say i that the mountain is important to the people and culture you can go ahead and disagree with me in the comments saying that science is more important etc… please just take a look at both perspectives here science is really important here to the culture as trust me hawaiians use science because of the universe etc life etc…. im sorry but this article failed to understand tbh sure it may have given why science is more important but culture is also important think about this- what would america be without people from different cultures etc it’s important that we respect the cultures rules, beliefs and so on but most importantly its important people look at different points of views of the reason why etc
All have sinned against god God cannot accept imperfectness and we are imperfect cause we are sinners. People need salvation because god is perfect. God loves sinners (us) so much that his son Jesus Christ died in the cross for our sins so we can repent and follow him. The door is still open to this day! But there will be a time where that door will be shut. We cannot earn our salvation through good things we do. Salvation is through repenting of your sins, believing on what Jesus Christ did, and follow his ways. This is the gift from god here. Jesus became sin and died so we can have a clean record. John 3:16 For god so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
Mauna Kea is a deeply sacred place that is revered in Hawaiian traditions. It’s regarded as a shrine for worship, as a home to the gods, and as the piko of Hawaiʻi Island. … Instead, they have prioritized astronomical development at the expense of properly caring for Mauna Kea’s natural and cultural resources. -The office of Hawaiian Affairs
Can’t the Natives see that building this would be wonder to their culture and nation state as along as TMT does not mess up Bone Grounds what is wrong with the showing the world that Hawaii is a wonderous place with a huge and vast cultural history but as well as show the world its academic prowess make the TMT a symbol of Hawaii so that the Enlightened and Bright can visit and show the world that we are all brothers and sisters!
However backwards and outdated their beliefs seem to us, because of the possible 2nd location for the telescope i believe they should respect their wishes. If this was the only place that this ground breaking telescope could be built it simply wouldn’t be a matter of just disrespecting the Hawaiian people, but for the entire human race to progress in learning about the universe.
I moved to the big island less than 2 years ago. I have been back and forth on for or against TMT I was excited to have the worlds most powerful telescope where I live I did not understand the true implications and history of what was going on Now that I have seen this documentary I agree and fully support protection of Mauna Kea It belong to the Hawaiian people We need to do what right support them after all it was and is there island and home land and it is the Hawaiians and the Hawaiian culture that truly makes these islands unique and special
One thing that stands out for me is when the TMT spokesperson states that ‘they’ have been working with Hawaiians for ten years. BS I know for a fact that NO Hawaiians were even invited to the first meetings about TMT which by the way were held at the Hilo Yacht Club which is located In Keaukaha an area where many prominent Hawaiians live.