10-23-2015, 09:54 AM
quote:
Originally posted by dakine
Telescopes, destroyers of indigenous peoples. You can't make this stuff up...
I think that's an over simplification of the situation beepbeep. To me the protest is similar to taking dessert away from a child until they eat their dinner. The protesters are preventing the further development of Mauna Kea until the land use rights, of which Mauna Kea is a part, and the question of sovereignty are settled. As such the TMT is just an icon, a cog, in a much larger process. Once the larger questions are answered who can say how things might develop, though I don't hold out much hope for the TMT project. Unfortunately until they are the TMT remains the flashpoint around which so many have gathered. And I agree, it's a shame. But more importantly I believe the right for the Hawaiian people to be the stewards of lands such as Mauna Kea should be addressed before those lands are further developed. Not only on Mauna Kea but state wide. And, if the spiritual significance of those lands is central to their beliefs, and they see things differently than the more recent arrivals to the islands, so be it.
On another note I see the UH put out a press release throwing the UKIRT under the bus, if you will. The statement is here:
http://www.hawaii.edu/news/2015/10/21/th...issioning/
It's interesting how they would do that just days before the Supremes make their decision regarding the DLNR/UH debacle. Another example of incompetence by those at the helm methinks. They must be really worried.
I personally think there should be a state wide moratorium on all development on all ceded lands, and any other significant (to the issues) lands, until the Hawaiian constitution is formed, and a representative body, a Hawaiian government, is in place and ready to join the conversation. If Ige had the cojones he would instruct all the relative state and county departments (planning and building etc) to refrain from all activity associated with those lands until then.
Hi dakine,
Sorry quoting is difficult for me on the iPad; the forum software doesn't seem to like my tablet much and I never know what is going to come out. Can't proofread right now. So you get what you get [
] lol.I thought this post of yours was civil and so I wanted to reply.
I can see a moratorium on future development as long as development to which has already been agreed proceeds without interference. Agreements must be kept; this is a matter of honor.
As I have said in other posts, I think it is idiotic and reprehensible to kill UKIRT, due to the quality of the science it is producing and how relatively low-cost it is. Once again, rational decisions are eschewed. A terrible use of scientific and financial resources. Upsetting and embarrassing. Poor Hawaii, so badly represented.
I wish Hawaiian activists would be more interested in the plight of keiki in poverty, and/or other pressing needs of their people, than spitting on a science of which they should be proud, given the Hawaiian history of astronomy. In fact, since stopping TMT refuses money for keiki education, and throws an agreement that seven years were spent making right into the trash, it is hard for me to have a lot of respect for the protesters, despite my love and admiration for Hawaiian culture.
Not to mention the feces issue. Sigh. Repulsive, barbaric. I could lead a better movement all by myself, and that is really saying something.
Thank you for sharing your point of view.
Pam in CA
Pam in CA

