Culture and science
Culture is not threatened by science. Culture is only threatened by the wrongs done in the name of science.
Martha “Cory” Harden
Hilo
They must share
The University of Hawaii Board of Regents is meeting soon to discuss rules for Maunakea.
Regarding their “rules” discussion, an important issue is access (the types and amount) to the summit of Maunakea. It should be pointed out just how much money private companies are raking in — profiteering from a public and sacred trust.
That mountain doesn’t belong to them, yet they are treating it as their own personal piggy bank, or goose that lays “golden eggs.”
More than $10 million a year in revenue from the commercial tours provided! How much of that money — if any — is benefiting indigenous Hawaiians?
How much of that money is going back into care for the mountain’s fragile ecosystem? How much of that money is used for educational and cultural purposes that actually benefit somebody — besides tour company owners and their employees?
Ten million dollars, every year. I, for one, am demanding: “Show me the money!”
Where is it going (besides the pockets of business owners), and how much? Pennies? Nickels? Dimes? Or nothing at all?
Time to hold these regents’ feet to the fire, FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) their asses and see the numbers.
Time to keep tour companies accountable and say, “You want to enjoy the privilege of conducting business up there? You have to share.”
It’s non-negotiable.
All stakeholders not directly benefiting from the tour companies’ windfall should have meaningful and significant influence on the formulation of the rules the board finalizes.
Maunakea does not belong to the regents, nor the tour companies, nor the observatories. It belongs to all of us.
Time for those presuming to have legal authority to “manage” our mountain (and those getting “rich” providing tours) to not act like it belongs just to them.
That’s all I’m going to say about that.
Brian Ansorge
Kailua-Kona
