06-23-2016, 02:14 PM
Aloha ahiahi, all. Being that the title of this thread is about Hawaiians in support of TMT, thought I'd share a recent memory on this subject.
This is the eve of the "final stand off" on Mauna Kea one year ago. When thinking about what video to share with you all, there were too many to choose from. Here is a list of various camera positions, and raw news footage, for copius free time viewing.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_q...24%2C+2015
Again, Big Island Video News deserves recognition in the coverage, as does Mileka Lincoln, of Hawaii News Now (the raw footage really shows what transpired).
In the line that I stood in for 4-1/2 hours, "The Kupuna line" (first line, don't laugh), many of us were not against the TMT per se, nor against science in any form. We were standing for the process being flawed (again), our cultural rights being ignored (again), and basically, "enough is enough". (We won't talk about Pohakuloa, which is another big issue, never mind Na'i Aupuni/Kana'ioluwalu/Kau Inoa "Tribe recognition" either. Ugh.)
Looking at my cousin (younger), one of the lead DLNR officers, on the other side of the "line" (after greeting each other at 3:45am), we smiled at each other knowing the truth; balance must be found.
The night before was all preparation, on both sides. It was not adversarial at all. In fact, Kekoa Kaluhiwa, First Deputy-DLNR, was part of the protectors/protestors midnight discussion. The exchange of information, and planning was very good. (You will see him crying at the first line, and asking for forgiveness in one of the videos; along with the lead DLNR Officer at the end of the day when they turned around). Pitting Hawaiians against Hawaiians is a basic "MO", however, the respect for each other was always present.
In closing, there is one video that comes very close to expressing the true "mana" present that day. From both sides. Mahalo ke Akua, e na Aumakua, e na Kupuna.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7EQ2--BA0A
Apologies for the long post, I digress. Just want to share personal perspective that led us to this point. Many Hawaiians support TMT, and science as a whole, including some protectors/protestors. It is the damn system and/or politics, that continues to ignore the very promises made, and continues to erode the confidence in the "Occupier's (USA)" once held.
Jumping off my soap box, mahalo for your indulgence, and yes, beating a dead horse seems to be my forte. Going back to focus on those deadlines set by Judge Amano, and the next scheduled hearing.
Have a good evening all, tomorrow is another day. Mahalo again for the good discussion.
JMO.
This is the eve of the "final stand off" on Mauna Kea one year ago. When thinking about what video to share with you all, there were too many to choose from. Here is a list of various camera positions, and raw news footage, for copius free time viewing.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_q...24%2C+2015
Again, Big Island Video News deserves recognition in the coverage, as does Mileka Lincoln, of Hawaii News Now (the raw footage really shows what transpired).
In the line that I stood in for 4-1/2 hours, "The Kupuna line" (first line, don't laugh), many of us were not against the TMT per se, nor against science in any form. We were standing for the process being flawed (again), our cultural rights being ignored (again), and basically, "enough is enough". (We won't talk about Pohakuloa, which is another big issue, never mind Na'i Aupuni/Kana'ioluwalu/Kau Inoa "Tribe recognition" either. Ugh.)
Looking at my cousin (younger), one of the lead DLNR officers, on the other side of the "line" (after greeting each other at 3:45am), we smiled at each other knowing the truth; balance must be found.
The night before was all preparation, on both sides. It was not adversarial at all. In fact, Kekoa Kaluhiwa, First Deputy-DLNR, was part of the protectors/protestors midnight discussion. The exchange of information, and planning was very good. (You will see him crying at the first line, and asking for forgiveness in one of the videos; along with the lead DLNR Officer at the end of the day when they turned around). Pitting Hawaiians against Hawaiians is a basic "MO", however, the respect for each other was always present.
In closing, there is one video that comes very close to expressing the true "mana" present that day. From both sides. Mahalo ke Akua, e na Aumakua, e na Kupuna.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7EQ2--BA0A
Apologies for the long post, I digress. Just want to share personal perspective that led us to this point. Many Hawaiians support TMT, and science as a whole, including some protectors/protestors. It is the damn system and/or politics, that continues to ignore the very promises made, and continues to erode the confidence in the "Occupier's (USA)" once held.
Jumping off my soap box, mahalo for your indulgence, and yes, beating a dead horse seems to be my forte. Going back to focus on those deadlines set by Judge Amano, and the next scheduled hearing.
Have a good evening all, tomorrow is another day. Mahalo again for the good discussion.
JMO.