Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 5, 1 Mei 2015 — Board sets date to reconsider stance on Mauna Kea, TMT Mountain's 'protectors' stage overnight sit-in at OHA [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]
Board sets date to reconsider stance on Mauna Kea, TMT Mountain's 'protectors' stage overnight sit-in at OHA
By Garett Kamemoto
The Office of Ha waiian Affairs B oard of Trustees decided to reconsider its position on Mauna Kea and the Thirty Meter Telescope at a special meeting scheduled for April 30.
Ihe meeting took plaee after this Ka Wai Ola issue went to press. At a board meeting on April 23, groups seek-
ing to protect Mauna Kea asked Trustees to schedule a meeting on its 2009 position that supported placing the telescope on Mauna Kea. The night prior to the meeting, dozens gathered to "occupy" Nā Lama Kukui, OHA's Nimitz Highway headquarters, to urge trustees to put the item on an agenda for decision-making. The "occupation" was a friendly gathering accommodated by OHA and the building management to ensure that those gathered were safe and comfortable. Chair Robert Lindsey Jr. (Hawai'i Island) scheduled the meeting for May 7, but at the urging of his colleagues agreed to hold the meeting on April 30 instead, the earliest day the item could be placed on an agenda under the state's Sunshine Law. Dozens signed up to testify at the April 23 meeting including both supporters and opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Trustees were clearly touched by those seeking to protect the Mauna. In an emotional statement, Trustee Hulu Lindsey (Maui) told the audience she was inspired by the new generation of leaders. "These 'ōpio are smart. They are operating in a very humhle way and I believe they're getting the attention of the people who make the decisions so it's really important that we respect them, respect their movement and support them." Trustee Dan Ahuna (Kaua'i) urged his eolleagues to take quick action, saying: "Now is the time to stand with the people. They're here. Do not be afraid." Trustee Peter Apo (O'ahu) lauded Mauna Kea's "protectors," but said there's a bigger picture to consider. "I want to recognize all of the people in this room who are opposed to the TMT and the opportunity . . . you have provided us to get a seat at the table. That is high-profile. That is powerful." The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has been in discussions with Gov. David Ige, the University of Hawai'i and the Office of Mauna
Kea Management in recent days. Apo said it is an opportunity to address more than a single issue. "I really don't believe that it is in the best interests of the Hawaiian people for us to
walk away trom an opportunity that may never eome again: to restructure the entire Mauna Kea plan," Apo said, noting it is also
an opportunity to raise concerns over how the state allocates puhlie land trust revenue that comes to OHA. Trustee Rowena Akana (At
Large) said if the board were to rescind its 2009 position, the move would be largely symbolic. "It
would show ourpeople that we 4 hear. ^ That, for me, is what is important."
In a statement, Chair Lindsey said his discussions with the governor and university
president nas created an opportunity to improve stewardship for Mauna Kea.
"This is the time for strategic leadership among key influencers on all sides ^ of the issue. I am convinced that such an approach ean greatly improve the chances of a peaceful and positive resolution through direct, respectful and solution-oriented eonversation." Meanwhile, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs arranged for a meeting April 24 for representatives from the Governor's office, the University of Hawai'i, the Office of Mauna Kea Management, the Mauna Kea Hui, the Mauna Kea 'Ohana and OHA. "All parties are genuinely interested in hearing from one another and connecting he alo a he alo, face to face. The in-person communication allows us to convey more than just information. You ean see and sense a lot in the presence of others - such important things as honesty, commitment, respect and aloha. These are vital for problem solving," said OHA Chief Executive Officer Kamana'opono Crabbe. ■
j MO'OLELO NUI ^ S C0VER FEATURE /
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IN THE NAME OF
MAUNA
KEA
Representatives from the Governor's office, the University of Hawai'i, the Office of Mauna Kea Management, the Mauna Kea Hui, the Mauna Kea 'Ohana, and OHA met nt OHA nhout Mnunn Ken on Anril 24. - Photo: Pmneine Murmv
In the Kū Kia'i Mauna March on April 21, a "protector" carried a Hawaiian flag and on its pole read "We are Mauna Kea." - Photo: lohn Matsuzaki
Center: This keiki stood in the frontline with his tūtū kūne (grandfather) during the Kū Kia'i Mauna March. - Photo: lohn Matsuzaki; left: Walter Ritte testified in support of aloha 'ūina for Mauna Kea before the OHA Board, April 23. - Photo: laeh lillanueva; right: Chair Robert Lindsey listening to community concerns about Mauna Kea, April 23. - Photo: īaeh Villanueva; bottom: Ka Pouhana and CE0 of OHA, Kamana'opono Crabbe greets Kaho'okahi Kanuha, one of the leaders of the Mauna Kea 'Ohana at the Kū Kia'i Mauna March on April 21 . - Photo: lohn Matsuzaki