No way forward
I think there is a basic misunderstanding here (regarding the Thirty Meter Telescope protest).
Westerners believe that if you offer benefits — good jobs and millions of dollars for education — then maybe you will be allowed to build your observatory.
The “protectors” believe that any new construction on Maunakea is simply not allowed (kapu).
Some in Hawaii are asking for reconciliation, or “ho‘oponopono,” between the parties.
Sadly, there is no reconciliation possible. One side says “this will be good for you and for the world,” and the other side says “we can never allow this under any circumstances, regardless of any benefits promised to us and our keiki; it is kapu, it is not allowed.”
I know many people on both sides; neither understands the other. There is no “reconciliation” or “let’s move forward” possible here.
It is very sad for us, and I don’t have any answer. But anyone who thinks they can negotiate with religious belief is perhaps being unrealistic and irrational.
Joel Aycock
Keaau
‘Shed those egos’
In these days of turbulence, from the top down, Americans are more divided and restless.
The issues at home are no different — a reckoning is unavoidable in these polarized times!
We represent the silent majority of residents who live at the base of this mountain called Maunakea, while our leaders, on both sides, are obsessed with power and money over the fate of the top of our mountain while forgetting its base or foundation.
Some of us argue that the base of this mountain is as sacred as the top, and the fact that we as “humans” continue to abuse it — examples being littering or ignoring the mental health needs of our homeless population. This is the true tragedy that I have witnessed as a nurse, after 45 years in Hilo town, despite the hard work of its merchants.
Amidst this chaos, some residents have taken responsibility for their neighborhoods, like the Hilo merchants, but this is not enough. We need economic help to malama our mountain and all its people, especially those who are suffering.
To quote author Eric Liu in “Become America: Civic Sermons on Love, Responsibility and Democracy”: “Mutual aid makes both the giver and the recipient stronger and safer.”
I urge that we stop wasting time over the failed stewardship of the mountain and make the next board independent and accountable with representation of all experts, including our ethnic advisers, and require long-range plans over all observatories on our mountaintop.
Currently, no matter the privileges of those who speak for us, namely — white, male, rich, native or hoale — they need to shed those egos and learn to communicate with mutual respect.
True communication and compromise is a two-way street without interference of the coconut wireless or social media. As humans, we need to do good, not just look good for television and the world!
There is much to do for all of the Big Island, and I give credit to Gov. David Ige for signing the emergency proclamation.
Mary Uyeda
Hilo