One banner read “We (heart) Astronomy,” another said “Support Astronomy on Maunakea.” Smaller posters read “Reach for the Stars.”
A group of about 40 turned out Saturday morning to wave signs in support of Mauna Kea astronomy and related projects such as the embroiled Thirty-Meter Telescope. Organizers said the event along Kanoelehua Avenue next to Walgreens was planned to coincide with AstroDay at Prince Kuhio Plaza.
“It’s a good opportunity when the spotlight is on the astronomy community,” said Thayne Currie, one of the event planners. Currie is a researcher at the Subaru Telescope, but said he wasn’t there representing his employer.
“I do this on my own time,” he said.
A public sign event is “something that I wanted to do to show visible support,” Currie said. He was also part of a group of Mauna Kea astronomy supporters who marched in the Merrie Monarch parade in April.
Those who turned out Saturday were a similar mix of “local citizens who support astronomy and see value of astronomy for our community,” Currie said.
Mark and Candace Travelino drove to Hilo early in the morning from their home on the Kona side of the island.
The pair were there, Mark Travelino said, “in support of astronomy and the bigger picture.” An active member of the local chapter of Laborers’ International Union, he said he was concerned about jobs being lost from Hawaii.
Candace Travelino grew up on the Big island and teaches at Kealekehe Elementary.
“It’s about getting them (kids) excited about science, and astronomy is a great way to do that,” she said. “It’s accessible to the kids because it’s right in their backyard.”
During the past year, there have been a number of protests and ongoing litigation against the $1.4 billion TMT project. In December, a Supreme Court judge ruled the Board of Land and Natural Resources had improperly approved a permit for building the TMT, sending the project back through the application process.
The telescope would be the largest built on the summit of Mauna Kea, a fact that has drawn criticism from a number of Native Hawaiians and cultural practitioners who consider the land sacred.
Currie said he gets along with many TMT protesters, and has advocated for continued dialogue. “I understand and acknowledge a lot of the concerns,” he said.
“I think it’s a question of balance,” said Clyde Hayashi, another Laborers’ International member. Hayashi had flown over from Oahu.
“If you look at the science and technology, it’s not just our Big Island children who benefit,” Hayashi said. “On so many levels, it’s important.” He cited the numerous astronomy discoveries made by Mauna Kea telescopes.
“From our perspective for the labor union, construction jobs are created to support families all over the island,” Hayashi said. “A big part of it is ‘What kind of Hawaii do we want for our children and grandchildren?’”
Efforts to move Hawaii’s economic drivers away from tourism to a more diversified system have also spurred support for initiatives like the TMT.
“Some people say to move to … high-paying tech jobs,” Hayashi said. “And this is it.”
Email Ivy Ashe at iashe@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
