West Seattle weekend scene: Mauna Kea telescope opponents’ rally

A caller asked us about a rally at Don Armeni, so we headed that way and found the group shown in our photo, gathering in opposition to the Thirty Meter Telescope project on Hawai’i island, atop Mauna Kea (which like Mount Rainier is a 14,000-foot ~~dormant~~ volcano). Project opponents say the “proposed 18-story observatory … would cause irreparable harm to our sacred mountaintop …” The project was supposed to start construction earlier this month, but protests continue on the mountain. Here’s the latest from Hawai’i.

Mj July 28, 2019 (5:36 pm)

Dinausaurs had a bad day 70,000,000 million years ago. The more eyes on the sky the better.

MrJ July 28, 2019 (8:48 pm)

That is a truly ignorant observation.
The King July 28, 2019 (9:06 pm)

Your right MJ, since the US illegally overthrew the islands with the queen at gunpoint on their way to statehood, we also banned their language for 100 years, lifting the ban in 1986. They couldn’t possibly know who the confirmed buried are even there since the government stripped them of the culture. The other 13 telescopes aren’t quite enough, we need more in paradise. Even if it is considered by the Hawaiians as the sacred birthing place of the islands. They’ll get over it. We should marginalize those people even more in the name of science.

Mj July 28, 2019 (10:27 pm)

Humankind has gazed at the stars since the biggining, Observatories are integral to help answer are we alone. And if you read the thread the majority of native Hawaains support the project.

Hawaiian July 29, 2019 (2:29 am)

That is false MJ most Native Hawaiians are not even polled. 200 white americans polled compared to 70 Native Hawaiians who were in this same group and about 80% of them were against it(sounds like the same crap they use against African Americans, Native Americans, and Mexicans). By the way if an asteroid the size of which killed the dinosaurs, no dam telescope can do anything to stop it(such a lame and generic rebuttle ). Next the telescope is larger than many of the Hotels and resorts on the island. 8 stories tall telescope 3 floor complex plus 13 other telescopes.

Doubtful July 29, 2019 (7:51 am)

Please explain how a telescope marginalizes people.

The King July 29, 2019 (8:07 pm)

Not real sure what needs explaining here. The Hawaiian natives consider this a sacred land. If you need a different type of example this is akin to building a halon collider in Jerusalem. These type of things must be hard to understand when you don’t come from a deep rooted culture.
Li'i August 1, 2019 (5:59 am)

https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2019/07/18/opinion/my-turn-why-tmt-is-a-human-rights-issue/ Educate yourself. It’s not just a telescope, it is 18 stories tall and several acres wide.

Rar July 29, 2019 (8:24 am)

Right on guys! This kanaka and born and raised big islander is sorry she missed this! Really disheartened when people see native peoples protesting and reply by explaining how much we need this telescope for scientific progress as if our grievance against further environmental degradation of this amazing mountain is ignorant of the science. We get it, we do. But enough is enough and that slippery slope isn’t one we want to keep slipping down when it comes to protecting this special place. I personally see a lot of irony in mankind wanting to see further into our cosmic past when we have some serious issues seeing the now and even the recent past – let’s make some serious upgrades to our focus on that front first! The other point people in favor of the telescope like to make is – gee the ancestors of these protestors were all about celestial navigation and would have been all for this! Yes, the Polynesian peoples accomplished what some scientists have described as equivalent to the moon landing in their time many times in their oceanic voyages, serious deep in my bones respect for that! Does that mean they’d be all for this? I have my guess, you have yours- no one knows. Anything your ancestors might have been all for that you might not be? The Hawaiians of long ago aren’t here to render their verdict, the Hawaiians of today are – let’s listen.

Sea K July 29, 2019 (9:27 am)

Protectors latch contradicting aspects on to their protest. Desecration of a sacred mountain is now combined with the decades of injustices, bad Western influences that have impacted lives etc. Yet they pick and choose which lands, when and why. 6 miles down the road, sits Puhakoloa Miltary Training Camp. On now considered Federal land, has been desecrated for decades with bombing practices and tons of unexploded ordinances. Yet that protest is not in the Hawaiian’s playbook? Blaming becomes a core value, rallying behind which of the hot button topics or areas is arbitrary. Over ten years of planning, studies, meetings, government and non governmental agency approvals even by prominent Hawaiians were all had been called to the table and gave their unsolicited approval . Kupuna who now decide to change their minds and join the cause. If they are so against the western ways the don’t use that perfectly paved saddle road that crosses between the two mountain, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, to get to COSTCO. Don’t drive or the use western fuel to get to protest central at the base of the mountain,… walk um. Perhaps another ground breaking telescope is not needed. If TMT did not follow protocol then they do not deserve to be there. The Hawaiians certainly have their cultural and human rights however their processes and methodologies and timing are to be desired. Picking and choosing which lands to defend and when, which western world elements should be blamed and which are perfectly fine to exploit, are a common thread, a trend and might be construed as a necessary evil, but, this HAWAIIAN living in the island, authoring this comment and is part of the 70 percenters, has this final thing to say. You can’t have your Haupia and eat it too.

Rar July 29, 2019 (9:45 pm)

Ok, it’s Pohakuloa actually. And there are protests there regularly. And picking and choosing what’s best about what’s around us and changing the rest is exactly what everyone should be doing! Maybe the world ends up a better place?

Hau July 29, 2019 (3:16 pm)

Mahalo (thank you) For the brief coverage of this local event which is conjoined with thousands nationally, internationally and back in Hawaii… All standing in support of preserving the utmost sacred Mauna Kea and respecting indigenous rights. Fortunately, there is a viable and consenting option to build this observatory in the Canary Islands. Ku Kia’i Mauna ❤️

Sea K July 29, 2019 (4:06 pm)

Unfortunately, the rest of the nation is unaware of the contradiction to their purpose and how so much of their cause is mired in selectivity. They are a walking contradiction in terms. As a Hawaiian, it s embarrassing to witness and I am not alone in this sentiment

Mike July 29, 2019 (6:33 pm)

Right or wrong, this telescope will advance science. Personally I feel they could find a better location, less controversial, and move on. Keep in mind the protesters do not represent all Hawaiians.

Lee July 29, 2019 (6:38 pm)

Really sad to see some of these ignorant comments posted here. Hawaiians have suffered enough injustice and are still being marginalized. I’m Hawaiian and I don’t know ANY any Hawaiian who agrees with building that eye sore on our beautiful mountain. Enough is enough. How did they accomplish building those ugly pimples on our Maunka Kea, not with the peoples support that’s for sure. Lets be clear, only a very few “FEW” want this built on our Mauna Kea. So take that mother of a telescope and build it somewhere else. End of story.

Hau July 30, 2019 (12:22 am)

Hiki no, I do want to remind us to take na Kupuna lead and engage with each other AND those who do not see through kanaka eyes with Kapu Aloha. We can and will come out of this stronger and more unified. The TMT doesn’t belong on our Mauna Kea, we from Hawai’i, we cultural practitioners know that in our bones. Others outside of the community will realize there is a way to proceed while respecting indigenous rights, but they need to be led there. See examples of it. We, na akua providing, will provide an example. Imua. Kū Kia’i Mauna!

JB July 30, 2019 (12:48 pm)

Mt Rainier is NOT a dormant volcano, FYI

WSB July 30, 2019 (3:50 pm)

Amend to “volcano that hasn’t erupted in a while.” Rainier a much shorter while!
https://geology.com/usgs/rainier/
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_kea/geo_hist_future_eruptions.html

ScubaFrog July 30, 2019 (1:05 pm)

Haoles have done enough to Hawai’i! At least Strictly-Regulate haole travel to the islands. Give the islands back to the Native Hawai’ians. The theft of the Hawai’ian Islands is a travesty. At the very, very least respect Hawai’ian tradition and culture, and leave icons like Mauna Kea alone. Stolen land, property values that have made it impossible for Hawai’i’s own to live on their own land, and an infinite list of injustices perpetrated in the name of American Imperialism. Disgusting!

Sea K July 30, 2019 (10:13 pm)

I am indeed from the community. 67 years old, born and raised. Grandparents hail from Hana and Kohala. Yet my views become,…. what, not Hawaiian? Not HAWAIIAN enough because they don’t align? Yes Pohakuloa was misspelled , the idea of the comment was still there.Here’s what I don’t get. Many kupuna, college graduates, PhDs, went to westernized schools to be where they are. There were teachers smarter than they who provided the tools to be not only educated, but teach in the same system. They were not trying to infiltrate the system, or clandestinely recruit individuals for a cause,… although the opportunity to educate others were there. Why is it then so many of the message is the taking and injustices and Haole wrong doing. When in fact so many have gained from it all too.And just what is the message? Boycotting a renown local supermarket because the owner is a TMT proponent? The Taniguchis who have been and given to this community for over 100 years. You know, the company, whom for decades provided the use of their premises to do fundraising on his sidewalks or car washes in their parking lot. So now it’s okay to turn? Pop Warner football, volleyball, baseball, schools etc., so many of which you supported for your keiki. Instead of recognizing, blending, compromising,….. one might think it’s just about blaming. Too many hypocrisies. So again, what is the message? Blocking roads on Oahu, crawling on the freeway, reconfiguring flags at a Vet center on Kauai? These are the works of a few, to do what? Certainly not gain traction. Nor public support. In fact it all works against the cause. It becomes a public nuisance and safety hazard. The “crossing guard” is one accident or road rage away from a lawsuit.It will always be a compromise. As long as the kanaka has used and gained for the very system they so desperately ridicule, it will and should be a compromise. If not, it is an act of hypocrisy. Detach yourselves from every thing western. No Vehicles, fuel, bottled water, roadways. No COSTCO, Target or Walmart, no public schools. If we all need many of the things that we take for granted, then there will be compromise. I am not for TMT if the rights of humans and the protocols were not adhered. But the methodologies in which the message is coming across, no matter the numbers, is very contradicting. Make it pono, make it what I believe Hawaiians can do, work it together.

Sorry, comment time is over.