07-03-2016, 06:10 PM
quote:Aloha ahiahi, Mr. Tom, and all. EO!, Sir. Thank you.
Originally posted by TomK
"Telescopes have now become sacred structures in their own right. Today they’re built like temples—solitary monuments on towering mountaintops.
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/ar...pe/489362/"
Personally, I think that's a silly and overreaching claim and likely a journalist just finding something to say at the end of their article. No telescope is sacred and the comparison to temples is bizarre. Temples are places that are devoted to the worship of a god. Modern telescopes aren't albeit those built thousands of years ago might have been.
As the title of this thread is "A glimpse into the past: MK astronomy", many of us have brothers, cousins, uncles, and even Kupuna, who helped pave the path to assist in the early days of astronomy on Mauna Kea (aka/fka "Mauna a Wakea"). We all know what is "sacred" and what is "allowed to be traversed", with permission (today, it's apparently State/Federal "permission"; Kupuna teaching is different).
As we know, the statutory statement in Article 12; Section 7, allows for the combining of culture and astronomy. Please remember there are Kupuna iwi (bones/remains) in certain areas of Mauna Kea/Mauna a Wakea (each family should know where their Kupuna are buried; Burial Counsel can help. Sorry, TMI).
Many, many, stories of the old days of Mauna Kea, including folklore of our own "Poliahu". Much like, her sister, Pele (with the geothermal plant in "her territory"), if Poliahu didn't want telescopes up there, they would not exist. (FWIW)
E 'ike I Ka Nani A'O Poliahu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsbgN1BeyYI
There are times I wish we could post some pictures, as many of our extended ohana have (on both sides of the current Mauna Kea issue) really great old, old pictures and stories. Yes, the "Crown Lands", afforded the opportunity we have today. Here is a good link to a "glimpse into the past" on Mauna Kea:
(University of Hawaii Documentation - 1964-1970+):
https://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/ifa/history.shtml
Most of us Hawaiians/Kanaka Maoli appreciate science, and the purpose of telescopes. Finding the balance between cultural rights, and science is forthcoming (wearing rose colored glasses again. [8D])
If everything is deemed "sacred"; let us treat all things as such. Mr. Tom, our views may differ on occasion, but you lend to the "balance" we all should be striving for. Mahalo.
JMO.
P.S. (Mr. Tom) Apologies for my comment on another thread, however, I will now "censor" what mo'opuna read, Sir. Oh, AKPilot, what is a "Sagan", please, and thank you. [?])