08-05-2019, 04:23 PM
"I suggest our remaining astronomers will retain employment in the present positions currently held. Protesters are not requesting shutting down the entire mauna...at this time"
the protesters have completely blocked the Mauna Kea Access Road. The only way for observatory staff is to arrange access on a limited basis through law enforcement using an unsafe access "trail" over lava which is blocked by a protester gate or to drive around the Kupuna blockade on a rough piece of lava. Neither are suitable for heavy traffic and are certainly not suitable for transporting delicate equipment or instrumentation. This means the observatories cannot operate because they do not have the lawful access required for regular operations.
The protesters may not be requesting shutting down the mountain but in practice that's what they are doing. And please remember that probably the smallest group that works at the observatories is astronomers. The rest includes locals working at the observatories plus thousands of other local employees who rely on unfettered access to the mountain.
the protesters have completely blocked the Mauna Kea Access Road. The only way for observatory staff is to arrange access on a limited basis through law enforcement using an unsafe access "trail" over lava which is blocked by a protester gate or to drive around the Kupuna blockade on a rough piece of lava. Neither are suitable for heavy traffic and are certainly not suitable for transporting delicate equipment or instrumentation. This means the observatories cannot operate because they do not have the lawful access required for regular operations.
The protesters may not be requesting shutting down the mountain but in practice that's what they are doing. And please remember that probably the smallest group that works at the observatories is astronomers. The rest includes locals working at the observatories plus thousands of other local employees who rely on unfettered access to the mountain.