TMT Work to Resume Says Ige!

[Obie]

You can always watch live.

http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/photo...ebcam.html

[beepbeep]

When I was trying to find some news, I saw this letter
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/opinion/l...rs-6-29-15

I don't completely understand...the protesters are allowed to wander around, but there is a state road block for everybody else? I think I'm just confused.

Hope everyone stays safe.

Pam in CA

[faroutsider]

NEAT web cam, thank you. Looks peaceful. Was it chaos and now everyone taking a breather so the Star of Bethlehem II people can enjoy the spectacle from there? Will be interesting.

[TomK]

Pam,

The road is closed to the public at the VIS but there's no way to prevent people hiking up the mountain. There are several trails and it's not hard to hike off-trail either, so there's no point even trying to prevent that type of access.

[opihikao]

Pahoated stated: That old fat guy giving the pule is Sam, the one that was trying to run an unapproved farmer's market.

For the record, that is not Sam Kaleleiki. He passed away in January of this year. He was a strong, kind, wonderful man, and a solid Hawaiian. Out of respect for "Uncle Sam", your post needed to be corrected.

Big Island Video News: "Remembering Uncle Sam"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZPOC41Oc1M


BTW, he was a Marine, who served the United States of America.

Aloha kekahi I kekahi. Rest in peace, Uncle Sam.


JMO.


ETA: Link; and typo(s).

[opihikao]

FYI: (*Snipped - More at link) This is good! JMO.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/...ml?ana=twt



As officials await a start date of the $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope project on the Big island, thousands of astronomers from around the world are making plans to gather in Hawaii in what will be the largest International Astronomical Union triennial general assembly in history.

Hawaii was selected for the union's 28th assembly in 2009. The two-week meeting will be held Aug. 3-14, with events for astronomers, science journalists and the public.

Dr. Günther Hasinger, director of the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy, likened the conference to the Olympic games of astronomy.


“At that time no one was really expecting the controversy over TMT,” he said. “There is no real connection between these two events, but now it’s clear we have to react. [Attendees] are well aware of the controversy so we want to make an active point not to shovel anything under the rocks and we want to openly discuss it.”

[opihikao]

This is not so good. May Akua guide us towards peaceful resolution. JMO.


(*Snipped - More at link - Incl. video)


" Kahookahi Kanuha, who is among a new generation of native Hawaiian activists, said the goal of protesters is not to reach a compromise that will still allow TMT to be built.

"Our intent is not to take up any fight or battle with the Office of Mauna Kea Management, or other telescopes or public access,” said Kanuha. “Our intent, and our only intent at this point, is to stop TMT."

(*Snipped) "Many Mauna Kea protesters say their position is unwavering".

http://www.kitv.com/news/Ige-not-conside...e/33843036

[PunaMauka2]

random thought:

it recently occurred to me, i'm a little surprised protestors have not made a strong statement of illustrating their zealous dedication to traditional ways; for example, perhaps making the trek on foot from sea level all the way up Maunakea with nothing but traditional garb and implements, no modern gadgets or comforts, ...literally walking the talk.

i'd imagine it could make a stronger PR impression and would probably be more fulfilling than hanging out at the summit for weeks on end. doubtless a more positive impression would be made than manning highly illegal roadblocks and ultimately sporting handcuffs in an activist's appeal to be seen as a political prisoner.

[TomK]

Well, since it's news article time ([]), I thought this was an interesting take on things:

"Look, let’s really think this through: Hawaii is going to war over telescopes. If there’s a better expression of nerdom, I can’t think of it. Yes, it’s wonderful that the Hawaiian sovereignty movement is finding their voice. But their targets––tools of astronomical research–are the most benign and serene expressions of Western civilization.

Unlike, say, the Barking Sands missile test range on Kauai or the resorts that line the Ka‘anapali coast, the TMT and DKIST have no military or commercial uses. They are designed simply and solely to increase humanity’s knowledge of the universe."

http://mauitime.com/news/politics/hawaii...elescopes/

And I agree that Kanuha's comment is not so good. The protesters have already shown they are willing to stop the other telescopes from operating and blocking public access. This is why I said earlier in the thread that I fear a break down in trust between the observatories and the protesters.

[TomK]

PM2 - Just to clarify, the protesters aren't hanging around the summit, they're camped next to the VIS at roughly the 9000 foot level several miles from the summit.