I volunteer for Tulsi2020, as I believe Tulsi Gabbard will be the BEST next president of the United States of America. One reason I support Tulsi is she is both compassionate and wise. Another reason is Tulsi admits she doesn’t know everything and is willing to listen to others and learn. Her position on the standoff at Mauna Kea is wrong. Although she is compassionate, Tulsi is not wise.
Although I disagree with Tulsi on this issue, I still support her presidential campaign. We need to accept reasonable people can express different opinions yet still remain friends and loyal supporters. I understand why Tulsi sympathizes with the action of the Kanaka, native Hawaiians. They are a great people who face many obstacles.
Yet the Kanaka are not wise relative to Mauna Kea, as they have forgotten their own history and now defy their king.
Alleged Desecration of Mauna Kea
Opponents of the telescope consider it a desecration of a mountain that many Hawaiians consider sacred. They pledge they will not allow the telescope to be built. While they may consider Mauna Kea sacred, their kings and queens did not.
In 1857, the Crown and Government leased the mountain lands of Humuʻula and Kaʻohe—including the summit of Mauna Kea—to Francis Spencer and the Waimea Grazing and Agricultural Company. They established ranching stations and operations across the mountain lands. [source]
In 1874, King Kalākaua invited British astronomers to observe the transit of Venus and expressed his dream of building an observatory on the Big Island.
In 1890 King Kalakaua decreed the summit of Mauna Kea be designated for astronomical research. The last Hawaiian King made this decision, which was supported by most alive at the time. His sister, Queen Lili’uokalani, did not change his decision.
Of Hawaiian practices of navigation, and knowledge of the and heavens, stars, and world around them, Queen Lili’uokalani also observed — “The ancient Hawaiians were astronomers, and the terms used appertained to the heavens, the stars, terrestrial science, and the gods.” (Liliuokalani, 1897).
As reported in StarAd today, Tulsi took a microphone to tell the protesters:
“We recognize that what is happening here is about so much more than just the telescope, that this speaks to not only the history of disrespect and dishonoring sacred places here in Hawaii, but this alarming trend that we see happening around the world.”
Tulsi Gabbard
What we both honor and respect in America are not kings and queens, monarchs, dictators, small groups or even the majority, as this can turn into mob rule. We honor and respect the law — and our law is rooted in the U.S. Constitution, as well as the state of Hawai’i constitution in this case. Developers of the TMT project have followed the law.
Astronomical Observation Extends to King Kalakaua
The summit of Mauna Kea, situated in the ahupuaʻa of Kaʻohe, was noted as a site of importance for modern astronomical observations by the Pendulum Party of 1892, and in 1964, the first modern observatory was built on top of Puʻu Poliʻahu.
By 1965, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the University of Hawaii initiated their program “to exploit the exciting potentialities of the Mauna Kea site for astronomical purposes” (cf. Newell to Hiatt, Feb. 16, 1965, in this study).
In 1967, the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy was founded, and in 1968, the Board of Land and Natural Resources leased the entire summit of Mauna Kea to the University by Lease No. S-4191.
While the practice and activities associated with astronomy on Mauna Kea represent the shortest of the periods of history and land use described in this study, its forty-one years (at the time of this writing) in the summit region of Mauna Kea, also represent the period of most significant changes in the natural and cultural landscapes on the mountain.
StarAd described the confrontation:
More than 3,000 opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope turned out for another day of protests Sunday, lingering to pray, listen to music and watch hula performances on the closed roadway, which was packed with TMT opponents. People set up folding chairs and tents dozens of yards out into the rough lava fields on either side of the access road.
The protests on Mauna Kea have stopped the $1.4 billion TMT project in its tracks while Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim leads discussions to try to resolve the impasse.
This is violent confrontation. Non-violent and peaceful protest would not block the road. Blocking and obstruction is a bullying tactic and action of intimidation and control. If government is called to clear the road, it is likely violence will ensure. People will be harmed. The protestor action is therefore inciting violence and contrary to the U.S. Constitution. Tulsi by supporting the protestors is not respecting the U.S. Constitution.
Supporters of TMT note the project has a legal right to proceed and remind the pubic sponsors of the project spent a decade obtaining the necessary government approvals to move forward.
Please support Tulsi Gabbard for our next president, but I call for our Compassionate and Wise leader to remember the principles that guide our glorious nation.
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If you think that building the telescope on Mauna Kea is right, you do NOT know enough about the issue
Aloha Lisah — I listed MANY reasons why building TMT is good for Hawai’i, the world, as well as the Kanaka people. Please share your reasons for opposing this awesome technology. Mauna Kea is a HUGE mountain. There is ample room for science and religious observation. Can’t we live aloha and share this magnificent place?
Hawaii itself was not legally made into a state. There was no consent from Hawaiians
Aloha e Fred,
All people who live here can be considered “Hawaiians.” The descendants of Kamehameha I prefer to be called “Kanaka” or “Kanaka Maoli,” I believe. Most people don’t know the history of these islands. Kamehameha I waged Civil War in the islands between 1782-1810. His thirty-year war against various Polynesian tribes was NOT CONSENT. Kamehameha I and his fierce warriors turned heavy weapons and canons on Polynesians who were living here. This was tragic and terrible crimes against human beings. He engaged in this violence to consolidate HIS kingdom. BUT it was not his to take.
Thus, the Kingdom of Hawai’i Ali’i, royalty, kings and queens were an ILLEGITIMATE leaders of a corrupt government. The monarchy had land — but no money. They had to lease or sell the Lands of Paradise to get cash to buy haole (foreign) goods. They also used this revenue to send kings, queens, princes and princesses around the world on luxury trips or to fancy haole schools and universities.
What started without consent passed to the USA in 1893. Queen Lili’uokalani tried to void the Kingdom of Hawai’i Constitution, which her brother, King Kalakaua, had signed a few years earlier. She and hundreds of Kanaka were charged with treason. This was never their rightful islands. Their ancestors took the islands with force — only King Kaumuali’i of Kaua’i joined to prevent the violence of war.
The USA took control over the islands in a peaceful coup. The US government considered Hawai’i a territory and protected the islands from Japanese, Chinese, Russians and others. In 1959, the people living here VOTED to become the 50th state in the United States.
Most importantly, under Kamehameha I and descendants, the 500,000+ Kanaka of 1700s had diminished to about 25,000 by 1900 — due to disease and germs. The Kanaka had no immunity against haole bacteria and viruses. With the protection of the USA, the Kanaka have flourished in number to over 300,000+ today.
Americans love the Kanaka and Hawaiian culture. Due to the USA protection, the Kanaka are strong once again! Mahalo nui loa for the discussion.