12-14-2016, 05:05 PM
I support the TMT, but the EIS was negligent, and the Resource Management Plan still hasn't been completed. The major issue with the EIS was that it concluded adverse cultural impacts, then went on to say that these impacts were mitigated with the $1 million annual educational fund. This mitigation, I can understand, is insulting to some.
The second-tier telescopes on the mountain should have been decommissioned and demo'd years ago, but the astronomers wanted to get as much as they could, as much astronomy development. The astronomers were greedy, and if they had listened a little bit 20 years ago this situation wouldn't have happened. Their arrogance caused this situation.
I mean, why aren't the protectors protecting the 1/3 of Oahu occupied by the US military? Why aren't they speaking out to preserve Hawaiian habitat and forest? Why aren't they protesting Pohakuloa Training Area? Is Mauna Kea really that much more important than any other place on the Island?
I think that the arrogance of the astronomers is really to blame, but so are the mid-guided views of the Protectors. Astronomy is a soft target. The US military, not so much.
The second-tier telescopes on the mountain should have been decommissioned and demo'd years ago, but the astronomers wanted to get as much as they could, as much astronomy development. The astronomers were greedy, and if they had listened a little bit 20 years ago this situation wouldn't have happened. Their arrogance caused this situation.
I mean, why aren't the protectors protecting the 1/3 of Oahu occupied by the US military? Why aren't they speaking out to preserve Hawaiian habitat and forest? Why aren't they protesting Pohakuloa Training Area? Is Mauna Kea really that much more important than any other place on the Island?
I think that the arrogance of the astronomers is really to blame, but so are the mid-guided views of the Protectors. Astronomy is a soft target. The US military, not so much.
quote:
Originally posted by gypsy69
Deleted nothing Punaticbychoice, only added happy holidays.
Aaron S, Has it ever occurred to you that many of these "folks" you speak of may have been ignored or never heard since the TMT permits were granted well before the contested case hearing in this process? Now some may have had to throw the kitchen sink to the forums rather than courts to be heard.
Here is me throwing my bathroom sink:
I found the 503 pg EIS report to be very misleading at times because it stated many times that the TMT would have a minimal to no adverse impact to the summit area's environment. That may be far from the truth because once such a billion dollar project like the TMT's is added to the summit area, drastic changes may come.
For starters, it's not just the TMT operations and up to 300 TMT employees traveling to the summit area that may cause excess dust, noise, and other pollutants to the environment. It's the million visiting tourists a year to the TMT site that may also cause environmental harm or impacts to the summit area that should be included or predicted in the EIS. The many other businesses that come or follow such expansions as the TMT's on Mauna Kea should also carry impacts worth noting in the EIS, Resort Tours for example. jmo
Hawaiian Cultural traditions and practices like prayers and respectful gatherings may be negatively impacted far more from the TMT project and operations than what the EIS leads you to believe. The once calm and peaceful Mauna Kea summit area that was Kapu for most will be open season for tour vans full of tourists taking pictures of everything including the Hawaiians possibly during their cultural traditional practices. The large increase in foot traffic and vehicle noise, dust, and view intrusions and the TMT operations may limit or alter the Hawaiian cultural practices some of us would like to see promoted and protected. jmo
Aaron S, Would you try answering a few of my questions regarding the TMT project?
For starters, Are you sure the U.S Military will not or could not be involved with the TMT project in anyway?
Would you also know about other countries military intentions involved with this TMT project? say China? or India?
For example, China or India may have other intentions over the next 70 years, or gain helpful data or intelligence from Hawaii's Tmt. The JWST, is set to be launched within the next year or two, It will only be able to operate and collect Data for about ten years. The TMT telescope may become increasingly important to the JWST Satilite project as it's time or tenure shortens. The sharing or storing of important Data the TMT carries may be helpful or sensitive to other countries like the U.S, China, India or Iran. The development or accuracy of weapons to be used from space for things like war or nuclear deterrence programs may come from the help of the TMT.
I am a bit concerned that giant eyes in the sky like the TMT's on Mauna Kea could become future targets like pearl harbor once did decades ago. The TMT is worth billions today and possibly Trillions fifty years from now. If a country like NK or Iran wanted to interrupt or intercept sensitive Data, Intelligence, or currency the TMT may look like an important or easier target from afar than others. jmo
Would it be possible that the TMT project once built, could run out of funding? Could the tmt facility then be sold or taken over to be used for other purposes much like the Super Ferry?
Could the TMT "If" built in the center of the Pacific ocean be asked for any data from a military like the U.S, China, or India for say future target striking on foreign satellites or UFO's in space or around the world?
"If" the TMT was built and the millions of visitors expected do arrive every year. Would Helicopter landing pads for the military, tourism, or emergencies be allowed at or near the summit?
If the TMT project is built on the summit of Mauna Kea would it be decommissioned in 2033 when the current lease expires, or with the dozen or so other telescopes?
Also, Would the TMT be using "any" electricity being produced by the PGV or Helco's power plant in Lower Puna? and How much?
I have a hard time believing so much would be invested by the TMT corporation or by the many Governments involved without knowing or having some confidence in its tenure atop Mauna Kea. jmo
P.S. PaulW, HOTPE, MarkP, please chime in and answer any of these questions or concerns of mine regarding the TMT. Maybe you could try the sandwich technique to be nicer this time around. Mahalo in advance.