Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 8, 1 August 2014 — Astronomy on Mauna Kea [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Astronomy on Mauna Kea

Trustee's note: Iwant to mahalo to E. Kalani. Flores and a group of individuals associated with Mauna Keafor contributing to this eolumn regarding astronomy on Mauna Kea. Mi: Flores offers the anti viewpoint, and the group offers the pro viewpoint.

ANTI

Kū kia'i Mauna! E ala e nā Kānaka! How many of us are still deeply connected to our lands from the summit to the sea that the words Aloha 'Āina and Mālama 'Āina still mean what they meant to our kūpuna, still stir in our na'au, that deep sense of kuleana, responsibility to protect our kūpuna, our piko, our sacred mountain, our Mauna Kea, our Mauna a Wākea. We do not debate the impor-

tance of astronomy, educational opportunities or scientific research, because as noted, our ancestors were the greatest of navigators and astronomers. Instead, we question the state's and the university's routine practice of disregarding criteria, guidelines, rules and laws that have resulted in massive devastation to the summit of Mauna Kea during these past 45 years. Yet, even with the existing 13 telescopes, there is an obsession for more and bigger with the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope. Why can't astronomers, scientists, researchers and students just utilize what is already there? If it's a desire for a larger telescope, that could be satisfied with the E-ETL (European Extremely Large Telescope) and GMT (Giant Magellan Telescope) that are being constructed in Chile. Spare our Mauna further destruction, desecration and disturbance. Enough is enough! We eonhnue to stand to protect one of the most sacredplaces in Hawai'i. Kū kia'i Mauna! Standing with Mauna Kea! (For an expanded perspective, view Sacred Mountain - Mauna Kea online at YouTube or Vimeo.) — E. Kalani. Flores, associ.ate professor, Centerfor Hawai'i Fife Styles, Hawai'i Communi.ty College

PR0

Astronomy on Maunakea benefits more than just the university - it affects everyone on Hawai'i Island. A preliminary eeonomie study estimated purchases of goods and services at $88 million, of whieh $58 million was spent on Hawai'i Island in 2012. These revenues help to support loeal families and contribute to a total eeonomie impact of $167 million statewide and $91 million on Hawai'i Island.

Can you imagine the eeonomie loss of $91 million a year here? The Thirty Meter Telescope will contribute annually $1 million into the Hawai'i Island New Knowledge educational initiative. Of the $1 million, $250,000 will specifically assist Native Hawaiian students on Hawai'i Island, and $750,000 will be available for students from the Hawai'i Island community, including Native Hawaiians. The TMT also initiated a workforce pipeline on island to provide job-training opportunities for administrative, mechanics, engineering and high-tech jobs. Additional educational benefits eome from dedicated scientists and engineers who volunteer their time in our schools to inspire kids through activities such as robotics, AstroDay, Journey Through the Universe and other outreach programs. Shouldn't we be creating - not cutting off - opportunities for our young people who pursue astronomy? Why force our keiki to leave their island home to pursue their dreams? This is their mountain too, a gift that should be shared by everyone. As Kānaka Maoli, we should honor our past, but more importantly look to the future and 'apo (seize) opportunities that will benefit our children, grandchildren and generations to eome. Look to astronomy as a way for moving forward. Let's not be left behind! — Herring Kalua, Sni.ffen Joseph Jr., Manuel A. Santos Jr., Sammi.e J. Pung, Seizen Tsuha, Mi.chaelAi.na, Thomas Soares, Man'in Nakata, Theodore K.A. Akau, Duwayne Wai.pa and Douglas Astrande I

Rūbert K. Lindsey, Jr.

Trustee, Hawai'i