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[...]Today, we have a new generation of Hawaiians who insist on resurrecting the old gods and superstitious beliefs that were used by the elites of Hawaiian society to oppress and subjugate the common people.

They claim to represent the wishes of our ancestors, but for whom exactly are they speaking?

There is no evidence, historical or otherwise, to suggest our ancestors would have opposed the construction of a device that would have allowed them to see stars that they have never seen before.

Indeed, there is no historical evidence to suggest our ancestors were opposed to any new technology of any kind.

I’ve scoured the historical record and I have been unable to find any instances where Hawaiians were against science and technology en masse. This new movement appears to be an entirely novel concept, but where is it coming from?

Neo-Luddism and New Age spiritualism, imported directly from California and the mainland, have combined with certain aspects of Hawaiian culture to form a new religion/culture. This new anti-science movement is opposed to all kinds of beneficial technologies, from telescopes, to genetic engineering, and even vaccines.

Many Hawaiians, economically disadvantaged and lacking a proper education, fall victim to these kinds of ideologies because they offer the promise of “ancient knowledge” as a solution to modern problems.

This highly idealized version of history is extremely popular with many Hawaiians. But this neo-Luddite view is ahistorical and ignores what life really was like before contemporary history, and what life really was like under the kapu system for the vast majority of kanaka maoli.

Hawaiians, like all people, are a diverse group of individuals. There is no “Hawaiian view” on the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) any more than there is a “haole view” on the issue or a “Maui view.” The protesters atop Mauna Kea represent one particular aspect of Hawaiian culture while entirely ignoring the rich tradition of scientific exploration that brought Polynesians here in the first place.

There are some Hawaiians, such as myself, who identify more with the scientific heritage of our culture rather than the religious/superstitious aspect, but our views are often shouted down by the extremely vocal protesters.

It is for this reason I feel compelled to speak up in defiance of the threats of social isolation leveled at me by the protesters.

Some have claimed I am not Hawaiian because I do not support their ahistorical, ad hoc interpretations of Hawaiian culture.

Some have even threatened me with death for daring to speak out against their religion — in true kapu fashion. Others claim I am “out of touch” with Hawaiian culture, and should “consult my kupuna.”

I have, and my kupuna taught me to think independently, logically and never to blindly follow the crowd. Therefore, I categorically reject the assertion that our ancestors would be opposed to the construction of the TMT.[...]

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Originally posted by Rob Tucker
I didn't see any defacing... not like the trash and beer bottles I find under nearly every bush here.

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