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Of all the places in the US that NASA could have chosen, the decision to put 6 new outrigger telescopes to support the 2 larger Keck telescopes that already exist on Mauna Kea, is sure to cause more controversy between the government and the kanaka maoli. NASA announced its selection even after passionate testimony from the kanaka maoli was presented earlier.
"...The Hawaiians' claim is based on the bones of their ancestors in the ground and the power this represents for indigenous people around the world, who often find themselves in conflict with aggressive Western ways of domination and control of natural resources and native modes.
The opposition wants the project stopped until an adequate environmental impact study is done to determine the cumulative impact of decades of development on the summit. They demand that UH demonstrate that it is complying with eight specific legal criteria established by the law before it is issued a conservation district use permit. The burden of proof is upon UH, which according to the hearing officer's order, must also demonstrate how it plans to protect Hawaiian culture. The critics want the permit denied for various reasons, including the fact that UH must first provide a management plan.
Beneath the often obscure wrangling were a number of basic questions, including the following: Is UH following the rules? Is astronomy above the law? Whose mountain is it? How should Mauna Kea be managed? Can the White
Mountain be shared by people with such conflicting intentions? What compromises might be possible? Is the university being used by corporations and government agencies? What are reasonable limits to growth?
"Mauna Kea is the beginning of our existence as a people," testified Pualani Kanahele. The kumu hula, named one of "Hawaii's Living Treasures," was called as an expert cultural witness. "As long as Mauna Kea is there, we have life and health on this land," asserted the respected Hawai'i Community College professor, one of nearly two dozen witnesses, in one of the hearing's climactic moments. Kanahele lamented that Hawaiian children today draw the mountain with telescopes on it, rather than in its natural state, thus being confused about their origins as a people.
"Mauna Kea is like a parent. Once it is gone, it is gone," Kanahele sadly added in her pained testimony. Kanahele is a member of the advisory committee that the UH Institute for Astronomy (IFA) convened to consult on cultural practices. But she testified that her group has not even been adequately informed: "We were not aware of a lot of what was going on up there. We have been shocked that things are moving along without our being aware."
The kanaka maoli and their heritage are being attacked from many sides. They don't have enough of their own people to fight every battle. They need the strength in numbers of anyone who believes that respecting the culture of the people who came first is more important than tracking stars and space shuttles.
Miulang
"...The Hawaiians' claim is based on the bones of their ancestors in the ground and the power this represents for indigenous people around the world, who often find themselves in conflict with aggressive Western ways of domination and control of natural resources and native modes.
The opposition wants the project stopped until an adequate environmental impact study is done to determine the cumulative impact of decades of development on the summit. They demand that UH demonstrate that it is complying with eight specific legal criteria established by the law before it is issued a conservation district use permit. The burden of proof is upon UH, which according to the hearing officer's order, must also demonstrate how it plans to protect Hawaiian culture. The critics want the permit denied for various reasons, including the fact that UH must first provide a management plan.
Beneath the often obscure wrangling were a number of basic questions, including the following: Is UH following the rules? Is astronomy above the law? Whose mountain is it? How should Mauna Kea be managed? Can the White
Mountain be shared by people with such conflicting intentions? What compromises might be possible? Is the university being used by corporations and government agencies? What are reasonable limits to growth?
"Mauna Kea is the beginning of our existence as a people," testified Pualani Kanahele. The kumu hula, named one of "Hawaii's Living Treasures," was called as an expert cultural witness. "As long as Mauna Kea is there, we have life and health on this land," asserted the respected Hawai'i Community College professor, one of nearly two dozen witnesses, in one of the hearing's climactic moments. Kanahele lamented that Hawaiian children today draw the mountain with telescopes on it, rather than in its natural state, thus being confused about their origins as a people.
"Mauna Kea is like a parent. Once it is gone, it is gone," Kanahele sadly added in her pained testimony. Kanahele is a member of the advisory committee that the UH Institute for Astronomy (IFA) convened to consult on cultural practices. But she testified that her group has not even been adequately informed: "We were not aware of a lot of what was going on up there. We have been shocked that things are moving along without our being aware."
The kanaka maoli and their heritage are being attacked from many sides. They don't have enough of their own people to fight every battle. They need the strength in numbers of anyone who believes that respecting the culture of the people who came first is more important than tracking stars and space shuttles.
Miulang
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