Mauna Kea is not just unique for its rare Hawai’ian plants and animals it also has deep significance to the Hawai’ian Nation. annexed Hawai’i as a territory, and it became the 50th state in 1959. Queen Liliuokalani of Hawai’i was overthrown in 1893 by a cabal of sugar planters and settler businessmen. The TMT Corporation and the University of Hawai’i Board of Regents want to build a huge, 18-story telescope and facilities covering about six football fields on allegedly “ceded” crown lands. Since the arrests of 35 people on July 17, thousands of Hawai’ians and supporters have blocked all access to the mountain. The elders were there to oppose further damage to and desecration of Mauna Kea, which already has had 13 smaller telescopes constructed on it since 1960. We acknowledge those who disagree with our project and express our respect for their views.When work crews arrived to begin construction of the long-opposed $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope on the sacred Mauna Kea mountain on July 17, Kānaka Maoli (Hawai’ian) elders who use wheelchairs, walkers or canes demanded to be taken to the front line to be arrested. On behalf of the TMT, Board of Governors chair Henry Yang says, “We have learned much over the last 10-plus years on the unique importance of Maunakea to all, and we remain committed to being good stewards on the mountain and inclusive of the Hawaiian community. The same day as Ige’s announcement, the Mauna Kea Anaina Hou organization filed a fresh lawsuit and the Hawaii Unity and Liberation Institute issued a statement that they would “forever fight the TMT,” but that they “stand firm in Kapu Aloha – peace and nonviolence.” However, while a majority of Hawaiians appear to support the telescope and its construction (a 2018 newspaper poll showed that 77% of respondents support the TMT), some activists remain firmly opposed. ( Read the full story about the agreement here.) The plan also puts a number of environmental protections in place. The new agreement that is now allowing TMT's construction to proceed includes specifications that three existing telescopes will be decommissioned and removed from the summit, and another two facilities must be removed by 2033. ![]() Protestors convened in front of the IAU meeting in Honolulu to protest the Thirty Meter Telescope's construction. Their concerns extend to the environment as well. Some Hawaiians remain concerned that building another telescope - and a monster one at that - would disturb the shrines, altars, and other sacred sites on the dormant volcano. ![]() Thirteen telescope domes now dot the top of Mauna Kea, taking advantage of the clear seeing at 13,796 feet (4,205 m) above the Pacific Ocean. The megatelescope completed its design and development phase in 2009, but legal challenges from Native Hawaiian activists - who treasure Mauna Kea for cultural and religious reasons - have hounded the telescope. The Mauna Kea Access Road, where protests took place in 2015, will be closed beginning July 15th, but it's not yet clear when construction itself will restart. National Astronomical Observatory of Japanįour years after protests halted construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope atop Mauna Kea, Hawai‘i, Governor David Ige has announced that construction will resume. Hawaiian Governor David Ige and the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory have announced that construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope will begin the week of July 15th.Īn artist's portrayal of how the Thirty Meter Telescope would look once completed.
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