04-12-2018, 04:08 PM
Good evening gentlemen,
Please have a second look at what I said.
I never said anything about the observatories making profits.
I just said Kahele explained why OHA wants/gets a 20% cut.
It's because there are five purposes for a public land trust (ceded lands): (1) Support public schools and educational institutions (2) betterment of the conditions of native Hawaiians (3) development of farm and home ownership (4) public improvements (5) public use.
So, OHA figures it gets 20% as 1/5 is 20%. This is law currently and there is not much we can do about it besides complain its unconstitutional because its taxing everybody to give money to one racial group - i.e. trying to change the law (which I would support changing).
You can look up ALL the provisions in HRS Chapter 171 - that defines and governs public lands, and HRS 10-13.5 - that mandates that OHA receive 20% of all funds derived from public lands trust.
Again, so there is no confusion - I don't agree with it - I just said I understand the legal basis now because Senator Kahele explained it clearly.
Further, I don't support ANY of Senator Kahele's legislation (I am unsure if HB 1767 relating to 4wd access to Mauna Kea was introduced by him, but I DO support this bill).
What's more, I deplore the use or threat of violence and have no respect for Walter Ritte.
I am clear that the observatories don't turn a profit and I have never suggested that they do, nor do I think Kahele is suggesting they do; more so I think Kahele is suggesting that we [read: a state entity] COULD charge them more money for rent as well as any intellectual property rights (patents) from discoveries made by the observatories in order to generate money - of which 20% of that could go to OHA.
I understand that this would be incredibly short sighted and cause more problems for our community than what little help would go to native Hawaiians through OHA; not to mention the incredible failures of OHA revealed in the 2018 state audit report.
I think that Kahele views himself as a representative of native Hawaiians first and foremost - more so than a representative of Hawaii residents - in that way he seems himself as acting justly.
I'm not saying that I support him, but merely pointing out that he is not evil. It is hard to step back and acknowledge that other peoples ideas and opinions are valid. I don't personally believe that 'sacred rocks' are more important than the potential knowledge the TMT or any of the telescopes could unlock, but I DO understand and accept that others feel differently than me. Does that make my opinion more valid than their opinion - there is really no answer to this and in this case it really doesn't matter because I am not in the Senate or House of Representatives. You can bet on it that I will be contacting my Representatives, but to be honest I have little faith or respect for their cognitive or moral abilities.
I hope this cleared up anyone of the cognitive dissonance created by my recent posts. I am merely trying to point out that Senator Kahele is not an EVIL person and that regardless of how this all plays out he and those that think like him will still be our neighbors when all is said and done. If the TMT is built, or if it is not built - either way - we do not want to live in a divided, hateful and distrusting community.
Please have a second look at what I said.
I never said anything about the observatories making profits.
I just said Kahele explained why OHA wants/gets a 20% cut.
It's because there are five purposes for a public land trust (ceded lands): (1) Support public schools and educational institutions (2) betterment of the conditions of native Hawaiians (3) development of farm and home ownership (4) public improvements (5) public use.
So, OHA figures it gets 20% as 1/5 is 20%. This is law currently and there is not much we can do about it besides complain its unconstitutional because its taxing everybody to give money to one racial group - i.e. trying to change the law (which I would support changing).
You can look up ALL the provisions in HRS Chapter 171 - that defines and governs public lands, and HRS 10-13.5 - that mandates that OHA receive 20% of all funds derived from public lands trust.
Again, so there is no confusion - I don't agree with it - I just said I understand the legal basis now because Senator Kahele explained it clearly.
Further, I don't support ANY of Senator Kahele's legislation (I am unsure if HB 1767 relating to 4wd access to Mauna Kea was introduced by him, but I DO support this bill).
What's more, I deplore the use or threat of violence and have no respect for Walter Ritte.
I am clear that the observatories don't turn a profit and I have never suggested that they do, nor do I think Kahele is suggesting they do; more so I think Kahele is suggesting that we [read: a state entity] COULD charge them more money for rent as well as any intellectual property rights (patents) from discoveries made by the observatories in order to generate money - of which 20% of that could go to OHA.
I understand that this would be incredibly short sighted and cause more problems for our community than what little help would go to native Hawaiians through OHA; not to mention the incredible failures of OHA revealed in the 2018 state audit report.
I think that Kahele views himself as a representative of native Hawaiians first and foremost - more so than a representative of Hawaii residents - in that way he seems himself as acting justly.
I'm not saying that I support him, but merely pointing out that he is not evil. It is hard to step back and acknowledge that other peoples ideas and opinions are valid. I don't personally believe that 'sacred rocks' are more important than the potential knowledge the TMT or any of the telescopes could unlock, but I DO understand and accept that others feel differently than me. Does that make my opinion more valid than their opinion - there is really no answer to this and in this case it really doesn't matter because I am not in the Senate or House of Representatives. You can bet on it that I will be contacting my Representatives, but to be honest I have little faith or respect for their cognitive or moral abilities.
I hope this cleared up anyone of the cognitive dissonance created by my recent posts. I am merely trying to point out that Senator Kahele is not an EVIL person and that regardless of how this all plays out he and those that think like him will still be our neighbors when all is said and done. If the TMT is built, or if it is not built - either way - we do not want to live in a divided, hateful and distrusting community.