It’s about money
It’s about money
(Wednesday was the) worldwide sign-waving to protect Mauna Kea, so this is my part in spreading awareness and sharing my mana‘o on the issue. I am not an expert on this issue; I’m just simply sharing my understanding of what it is really happening.
I love astronomy. When I was a kid, I actually wanted to be an astronomer when I grew up. Ancient Hawaiians were expert astronomers because they navigated the Pacific Ocean without any instruments except their knowledge of the stars and ocean currents.
I understand the important benefits that scientific studies can bring, but it is not worth it if it is at the expense of sacred lands, the environment and natural resources. For those who have a hard time understanding the concept of sacred lands, I hope that you can at least understand the concept of “aloha ‘aina,” or caring for our Earth.
Personally, I’m relying on this island to take care of me and my children long after money no longer has any value, because people will FINALLY realize the importance of natural resources. The construction of such a massive project would change our island forever, disrupting the water supply, producing tons of waste, and destroying the habitat of unique, endemic plants and animals. Not to mention, they will be drilling a dormant volcano.
Not only is this project illegal because it lies on conservation land, but we all know that what it really comes down to is money. Profits will be made by the manufacturing and labor of the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope — profits that will go to governments and corporations, not to locals and Native Hawaiians. This is money-making in the name of science.
I think it’s ironic that scientists want to learn more about the universe at the expense of native cultures that have always understood more about the universe than these scientists will ever learn by looking through a telescope.
If you do not understand the concept of “aloha ‘aina,” then you will never be able to understand the universe in the way it is meant to be understood.
Sarah Fui
Hilo
Real role model
In response to a letter dated today April 9, regarding “Who should our young men look up to?”: I would recommend Harry Kim because he was, is, and always has been a very responsible person, in my view.
As he was with Civil Defense and as the mayor of our home, I, as well as many others, all felt safer when we heard him speak. Just one woman’s opinion.
Mona Livsey
Hilo