What a mess
What a mess
The Sunday Tribune-Herald article about the Thirty Meter Telescope was one of the better discussions I have read. Buried in the middle was possibly the most important part of the issue. Paul Brewbaker’s comment, “It says the process is not credible and Hawaii is not a credible host to offer investment.”
The TMT isn’t the only issue here. Damage already has been done to Hawaii’s ability to attract business investment. Hawaii government can’t be trusted. Hawaii has long been at the bottom of everyone’s business-friendly list. Now, whether the TMT is built or not, Hawaii won’t even be on the list. Businesses won’t consider investing in Hawaii.
TMT completed all of the state and county requirements, and more. All permits were obtained. Permission to proceed with construction was given.
Then, instead of insuring that peaceful protests were properly conducted, the protesters were allowed to stop access to the site. Once the protesters refused to move, they were breaking the law and subject to arrest. This is a simple concept.
The state and county made a commitment to TMT and are obligated to do whatever it takes to honor that commitment. Instead, the situation has been allowed to balloon out of control. You cannot let an organization comply with all the rules, then change the rules at the end.
Worse, this is playing out on an international stage. Can you imagine what China, Japan, India, Canada and others are thinking?
TMT isn’t another telescope on Mauna Kea. It is an international scientific project that the whole world knows about. The Legislature and administration all supported the TMT. Where are they now?
If TMT isn’t built, I think we can expect a very sizable lawsuit from TMT to recover all its costs and we, the taxpayers, will pay it.
Hawaii is my adopted home. I worked here and retired here, and I dearly love Hawaii, but I am embarrassed and saddened by this mess.
Alan Mefford
Hilo
Win-win scenario
In our common language, “‘aina” is defined as land. But in scientific jargon it is, more correctly, ecology. When an acre of land is bulldozed, you still have an acre of land. But the ecology, or ‘aina, is gone forever, and in time nature will build some new ecology (invasive species?).
The “protectors” of Mauna Kea are not anti-science nor anti-telescope. They simply believe in the science of ecology (‘aina). That’s why I foresee a win-win solution on the horizon.
The stated purpose of the TMT is to go beyond the obsolete telescopes now on our mountain. Indeed, in a recent article, one to three telescopes are about to be decommissioned.
The ecology can never be returned to these sites. So, it makes sense to remove them and install the TMT on the same sacred ground. No new destruction. Win-win.
Ole Fulks
Keaau