Legacy of letters
Legacy of letters
We, the family of Don Bremer (April 29, 1926 – June 21, 2015), prolific letter-to-the-editor writer, want to thank all of the readers and employees of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald who saw his 200-some opinion pieces through the years.
Writing those letters to share with you, his ohana, imbued him with a feisty joy. They evolved into his magnum opus.
To Gerald Wright: Don’s family sends their best wishes, for his penned clashes with you upped his game. You were a consummate foil.
Carolyn Bremer and family
Long Beach, Calif.
Stand guard
There’s been a lot of confusion about “Ku Kia‘i Mauna — Stand Guard the Mountain!” The stand is not against the Thirty Meter Telescope; it is simply against any more desecration of Mauna Kea.
What part of NO MORE DESECRATION do some people not understand? The governor missed the point when he gave his consent for more desecration to proceed, outside of the area already desecrated (bulldozed, etc.). On the other hand, one of the protest leaders on Oahu confused “no more desecration” with “take all the telescopes down,” causing more confusion.
For more than 100 years, Hawaii and Hawaiians have suffered degradation and exploitation, and the forced takeover of the nation; hence, there already are more than a dozen telescopes atop Mauna Kea. We cannot change what happened in the past, but as Hawaiian sovereign rights become (re-)established, and the culturally based education movement continues to thrive, our kuleana (responsibility) to protect our cultural heritage becomes imperative, of which Mauna Kea is utmost!
In my testimony several years ago, after consulting with several kupuna, I quoted them, “If they like build more, tell them show us good faith — take some down!” This was for the Mauna Kea Management Plan, before the TMT application (although we knew it was on the radar).
Many Hawaiians and others testified similarly, but the people in charge apparently ignored this critical input, and favored more degradation and exploitation (for jobs, science, marvel and money) by others of influence.
True public servants would have then, and should now, advocate for “No More Desecration!” It means taking some telescopes down, redesigning the TMT to fit into the area already desecrated, and then maybe proceeding. Until then, we will “Ku Kia‘i Mauna” with our heart and soul!
Luana Jones
Pohoiki