06-19-2016, 03:58 PM
To be fair, both sides represent a group of Hawaiian people (never ALL people), and both sides have credible, formidable, and honorable people involved.
The kia'i (guards) who camped at Mauna Kea during the protest included teachers, students (UH and abroad), Maori ohana, Tahitian ohana, counselors, veterans, retired union workers, tour guides, a couple "famous" surfers, Hawaiian Kingdom representatives, musicians, self-employed mechanics (including aircraft), and a rotation of all walks of life. While the courts, especially the Supreme Court, made decisions, the kia'i kept the construction of TMT from being "shoved down our throats".
The subsequent arrests of protectors/protesters, when their cases went to court, most were ultimately dismissed, or went to trial to be found "not guilty". Mentioning this to point out the egregious abuse of the "process/law" by the State of Hawai'i, and all departments responsible. What a damn waste.
The other observation, since I was there on several occasions, and present almost a year to the date, on Mauna Kea (spent the night for the final stand off), the ones who stayed for weeks and months were not the only souls working towards the goal. Many, many others throughout the State (and perhaps, abroad), were working this "legal system" like the dickens. It worked. (Sorry, a tad OT; trying not to be offended by some comments about the people involved)
The continued debate of PUEO, Richard Ha (very good man), Judge Amano (whose roots are right here on this island), the protesters/protectors, jobs, science, education, for the keiki o ka aina, and all of the rhetoric boils down to one basic goal:
All parties want what is best for our keiki, for our communities, for our people, and for the future. Getting there is finding the elusive common ground.
I believe the first proper steps have been taken. Now, if the UH, BLNR, DLNR, AG's office, etc., would just address this issue and follow their own laws, we will be able to move forward. The State Auditor's Report(s) would be a good starting point to "make things right".
IMUA kakou!
JMO.
ETA: P.S. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY ALL! (Again, sorry, O/T)
The kia'i (guards) who camped at Mauna Kea during the protest included teachers, students (UH and abroad), Maori ohana, Tahitian ohana, counselors, veterans, retired union workers, tour guides, a couple "famous" surfers, Hawaiian Kingdom representatives, musicians, self-employed mechanics (including aircraft), and a rotation of all walks of life. While the courts, especially the Supreme Court, made decisions, the kia'i kept the construction of TMT from being "shoved down our throats".
The subsequent arrests of protectors/protesters, when their cases went to court, most were ultimately dismissed, or went to trial to be found "not guilty". Mentioning this to point out the egregious abuse of the "process/law" by the State of Hawai'i, and all departments responsible. What a damn waste.
The other observation, since I was there on several occasions, and present almost a year to the date, on Mauna Kea (spent the night for the final stand off), the ones who stayed for weeks and months were not the only souls working towards the goal. Many, many others throughout the State (and perhaps, abroad), were working this "legal system" like the dickens. It worked. (Sorry, a tad OT; trying not to be offended by some comments about the people involved)
The continued debate of PUEO, Richard Ha (very good man), Judge Amano (whose roots are right here on this island), the protesters/protectors, jobs, science, education, for the keiki o ka aina, and all of the rhetoric boils down to one basic goal:
All parties want what is best for our keiki, for our communities, for our people, and for the future. Getting there is finding the elusive common ground.
I believe the first proper steps have been taken. Now, if the UH, BLNR, DLNR, AG's office, etc., would just address this issue and follow their own laws, we will be able to move forward. The State Auditor's Report(s) would be a good starting point to "make things right".
IMUA kakou!
JMO.
ETA: P.S. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY ALL! (Again, sorry, O/T)