The University of Hawaii Board of Regents left its meeting Thursday with an overwhelmingly clear message to take home from the Big Island — no Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. ADVERTISING The University of Hawaii Board of Regents left
The University of Hawaii Board of Regents left its meeting Thursday with an overwhelmingly clear message to take home from the Big Island — no Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea.
As operator of the mountain’s astronomy precinct and the entity that subleases the land to TMT for the project, opponents say the university must reconsider its support for the $1.4 billion project.
Kamahana Kealoha said a university that claims to be a Hawaiian place of learning can’t also be the “agent of erasure” of the Hawaiian culture.
“However, as the for-profit facilitator of the Thirty Meter Telescope, this TMT, and all other telescopes on Mauna Kea, the University of Hawaii, you folks, are doing this,” he said. “So you got to do one thing or the other. Either you’re committing ethnocide against our people or you’re a Hawaiian place of learning.”
Following its regular meeting Thursday at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, the 15-member board went into a special meeting, where it was to be briefed on the management of Mauna Kea and the Mauna Kea Science Reserve.
Hundreds of TMT opponents, however, flooded both the inside and outside of the college’s largest lecture hall, ultimately resulting in the board deferring its briefing and discussion on the matter until its meeting in May to make time for testimony.
Of the 1,040 pieces submitted prior to the meeting, 1,010 — 97 percent — were in opposition to TMT. Twenty-eight testified in support, while two offered only comments, according to UH officials.
Leilani Lindsey-Kaapuni said what’s happening on Mauna Kea is not a protest but an awakening. The world is watching, she said, and the board still has an opportunity to reconsider the leases and permits and do what is pono for future generations.
“If not you leave us no recourse but to continue to stand in the road,” she said. “And we will do it, and hundreds will do it with us.”
Many said the issue is far bigger than TMT, which is why it has received national attention and support over the past two weeks.
“This is beyond TMT. This is about everything that has happened from then, from the past, 122 years ago, until now,” said Bronson Kobayashi, referring to the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Out of 120 people who signed up to testify, 61 had a chance. Only one, however, spoke in favor of advancing technologies on the mountain.
Mark Chun, an astronomer at UH’s Institute of Astronomy, said conditions atop Mauna Kea are considered “the gold standard” for studying the stars.
“By being on Mauna Kea telescopes are more powerful and able to do more science than telescopes at other sites can do,” he said. “And TMT will be the most powerful optical infrared telescope, even if other telescopes planned for Chile are physically larger. My family and friends in Hawaii are excited about discoveries that are made at home, and they recognize that Mauna Kea is yet another reason why Hawaii is special.”
Thursday’s meeting was nothing short of emotional, with several people falling to tears during testimony. At one point, an elderly man sobbed in the corner. Throughout, project opponents pleaded with the board to stand with them to protect the mountain they consider sacred. Protestors, who refer to themselves as protectors, repeatedly chanted “Ku Kia‘i Mauna,” or guardians of the mountain.
Kalani Makekau-Whittaker, a professor of Hawaiian language at UH-Manoa, said there is a clash of religions and the Hawaiian people are tired of compromise, especially on the university’s terms.
“Science and money do not supersede the sanctity of our mountain,” he said.
The 180-foot-tall observatory, expected to be operational in 2024, will be located on Mauna Kea’s north flank, just below the summit, at 13,150 feet. It will be the 14th telescope on the mountain and more advanced than any existing optical observatory.
Following 31 arrests on the mountain April 2, Gov. David Ige announced a weeklong halt of construction, which has since been extended until Monday, April 20. In addition to on the mountain, several protests have taken place on UH campuses, including those on the Big Island and Oahu.
Unable to get to everyone who signed up to testify Thursday, the Board of Regents promised
to schedule a second meeting and announce it on the university’s website.
“This is the beginning of a conversation,” Board Chair Randolph Moore told the crowd.
Email Chris D’Angelo at cdangelo@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
