OHA Votes to Rescind Their Support for the TMT

[TomK]

Interesting how views are influenced by one's own bias. My own opinion is this decision makes little difference, and it's clear both sides are disappointed by the decision. TMT supporters are disappointed OHA's support was rescinded, anti-TMT supporters are disappointed OHA didn't oppose construction of the TMT.

I think they bottled it and took the neutral option.

I have no idea how this affects the money that the TMT was going to provide to OHA. It's 20% of the lease/rent TMT will pay.

[PaulW]

They will not back down. The protests will continue indefinitely.
Are you sure about that?

Even if you wish really really hard for something, it doesn't always happen.

These people who supposedly care so deeply, where have they been the past 7 years?

[beepbeep]

I was wondering about the 7 years...was there a lot of opposition to the TMT throughout this time?



Pam in CA
May is Lupus Awareness Month

[TomK]

beepbeep wrote:

"I was wondering about the 7 years...was there a lot of opposition to the TMT throughout this time?"

Not really. There were several legal challenges and there is still one appeal going on. One piece of testimony that sticks in my mind was from a protestor who would only talk in court if he could channel and speak for an Hawaiian god. I'll try and find a link to that.

[Kapoho Joe]

you keep mentioning the Jews and the their return to Israel. One small detail you keep missing - the Jews had tanks back when they drove the Arabs out. Last time I looked the Aloha Aina movement just has protestors and a few lawyers.

[opihikao]

Aloha kakahiaka to all.

Of interest, here is a video of the OHA Special Board Meeting in part, which will detail the purpose for the 6-1 vote to recind support of the TMT.

*Note: Starting at 21:14 is acting Chairman, Trustee Ahuna, from Kaua'i making his statement prior to discussion and vote. At 22:47 he details the State Auditor Reports (three over the course of several years), which clearly states the preservation of Mauna Kea and the conditions agreed upon have not been met. Sixteen years (16) of "mismanagement", as per the Auditor reports:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zDt9vaUMdA&feature=youtu.be

Ahuna made a very powerful statement, and dealt with both facts and emotion in a balanced manner.

This vote will not really make a difference to TMT as permits have already been issued, etc. However, this vote makes a statement that OHA is finally standing with the people, in working towards better management of Mauna Kea, and all public lands (ie. Crown land, ceded land, etc.).

I maintain (as dakine has stated), this is not about TMT alone. This is a very big platform to push forward the effort towards recognition of the Hawaiian Kingdom/Nation and the wrong that was done, and moreso, the Hawaiian people.

OHA operates under the State of Hawaii, thus, is a political entity, as stated by Trustee Collette Machado. For those of us who have little faith in OHA, this perhaps is a turning of the tide, as it were.

Kana'iolowalu (roll commission), potential Federal recognition, Kaka'ako, and other pressing issues that are intertwined with Mauna Kea (and other public trust lands), have become issues of contention due to OHA's overall lack of management. OHA Trutees are finally getting the message:

Enough is enough.

Promises must be kept in order to move forward. Promises already made and broken must be addressed prior to any further agreements. BLNR/DLNR, and the UH have not enforced the existing leases, nor the breach of contract(s) therein.

As our keiki and mo'opuna learn to speak their mind, it is heartwarming to see how times have changed. We were silenced, our Kupuna were silenced (some were beaten for speaking Hawaiian), the keiki today will not be silenced. Right or wrong, at the very least, this issue gave the keiki a platform to speak up without fear of being punished. EO!

JMO.

[knieft]

opihikao: "right or wrong, at the very least, this issue gave the keiki a platform to speak up without fear of being punished."

Maybe ridiculed a bit though...

http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/loc...upport-tmt

"Through tears, aspiring astronomer Mailani Neal told trustees that as a Native Hawaiian, the telescope will allow her to work in Hawaii one day. The Hawaii Preparatory Academy high school senior skipped school to travel from her home in Kailua-Kona with her parents to testify at the meeting.

While she spoke, some in the audience made negative comments that caught the ire of trustee Colette Machado. “Hilahila to the people in the back,” she said, using the Hawaiian term for shame. If people couldn’t be respectful, “get out,” she scolded."

Cheers,
Kirt

[pahoated]

It's just Occupy: The Sequel. UHH can only have landlord rights through the approval of the OHA, the whole top of the mountain is ceded lands. But OHA is a state formed corporation with the charter to represent native Hawaiian interests in the land while administering decisions to benefit all kama'aina. Under the state, the TMT is legally ready to start work on the foundation. It's starting to look like the DMZ during treaty talks, all 3 sides have now started raising their negotiations to monetary conditions, that includes OHA and the protester group Aloha Aina, not insignificant amounts of money either.

"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"

[knieft]

My point was that Mailani is Hawaiian, and whether you cry or not, she is not being listened to by the self-proclaimed "real" Hawaiians.

Cheers,
Kirt

[PaulW]

"I have no doubt that she will attain the heights to which she is striving"

It seems to be your goal to prevent her achieving those heights - she wants to work as an astronomer on Mauna Kea.