Mauna Kea

Support for the TMT

It was a coalition of folks from all sectors of the population that came to wave signs the other day.

Signs1
It’s about the keiki. Kumiko S. Usuda, Outreach Scientist (Astronomer) at the Subaru Telescope, and her children.

June & Dina
June Ha and Dina

Signs3
It’s not about us. It’s about future generations. This is Suzy Dill and her future generation.

Signs4
Pete Lindsey and the boys

Signs5
Waiakea High School Robotics club

Signs6
UH Hilo Astronomy/Physics Professor Marianne Takamiya and family

Signs7
left, Barbara Hastings, Outgoing President of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce; center, Incoming President Mary Begier

It is not about us anymore. Now it is about the keiki and future generations. It was very gratifying to see high school students, young kids, a hapai mom – the next generations.

The Labor Union and business folks were there, too. Jobs are about families and the here and now.

The Big Island Labor Alliance played an important role. The labor folks tell me that there are by far more Hawaiian workers on the bench now than all the people who testified on both sides of the issue at the Comprehensive Management Plan hearing recently. They wonder why their voices are not heard.

There were educators there, too, who think about the value of new learning.

It was uplifting to hear all the people blowing their horns in support. It was louder this time than last. All kinds of different sounds, especially raucous were the big rigs and their air horns!

Several days ago, University of Hawai‘i President David McClain issued this statement:

After discussions with academic and community leaders on the Big Island, and review with the Board of Regents, I can say that should TMT come to Mauna Kea, the Hawaiian community and community-at-large will benefit through an annual $1 million community benefit package, which will provide funding for locally chosen and managed educational programs on Hawai‘i Island. This will begin once all permits for the project have been received.

The compensation to the University of Hawai‘i, which is expected to begin at “first light,” will be split equitably between a higher education package to be used for selected initiatives of the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College on Hawai‘i Island, and observing time for University of Hawai‘i scientists.

David McClain

President
, University of Hawai‘i

We cannot just assume the TMT is coming here, because Chile is trying very hard to attract the TMT.

Please show up to voice your concerns or show your support at one of the EIS hearings, which are coming up and scheduled all around the island. You can look at the draft EIS at the TMT website.

The first round of meetings, referred to as Public Scoping Meetings, were conducted between October 6 and 16, 2008.  Now, these Draft EIS meetings will be held during the 45-day Draft EIS comment period as follows:

  • Tuesday, June 16        Waimea / Kamuela        Waimea Elementary School Cafeteria      5-8pm
  • Wednesday, June 17      Hilo    Hilo High School Cafeteria      4-8pm
  • Thursday, June 18       Pāhoa / Puna    Pāhoa High School Cafeteria     5-8pm
  • Monday, June 22 Ka‘ū    Ka’u High/Pāhala Elementary School Cafeteria    5-8pm
  • Tuesday , June 23       Hāwī / Kohala   Kohala Cultural Center  5-8pm
  • Wednesday, June 24      Kona    Kealakehe Elementary School Cafeteria   5-8pm
  • Thursday, June 25       Honolulu        Farrington High School Cafeteria        5-8pm

These public meetings will consist of the following general components:

  • First hour – Open House, a question and answer period with project representatives around poster displays
  • Presentations by project representatives for half an hour
  • Facilitated public discussion period thereafter