Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 6, 1 June 2015 — Kū Kiaʻi Mauna! [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kū Kiaʻi Mauna!

The issue of Mauna Kea remains strongly at the forefront of daily public debate since the eruption by heated activism fueled by young Llawaiian cultural practitioners since last October. These protesters have proclaimed to protect this wahi pana, sacred mountain namesake Mauna A Wākea from the political abuse by a broken government system.

Their legal elaim and cultural connection to the Mauna comes as lineal descendants of earth mother, Papa Llonua Mea, and sky father, Wākea, through the kumulipo, the Llawaiian genesis of creation. Through this kuleana they are regarded as the protectors and guardians of Mauna Kea. As a Christian-Flawaiian, I have no struggle in balancing my devotion to my faith and my devotion to my cultural practices. I was hānai by my kūpuna who taught me that there was no conflict in honoring the akua from a Hawaiian cultural perspective. As a mother and grandmother, I understood very well the unrelenting love these young warriors have for the Mauna. They have made this commitment their kuleana, as mueh as my kuleana to my children and mo'opuna and now in my role as an OHA Trustee to our people and the Public. While I was not in office when the OHA trustees voted to support the TMT in 2009, when the anti-TMT protectors relentlessly burst onto the scene at Mauna Kea, I knew that I needed to investigate the divergent views on this important and highly charged issue. I spent time talking to constituents from all walks of life to get their mana'o on the Mauna Kea argument. I spoke to 'ohana, kūpuna, kumu hula, cultural practitioners, students, scholars, scientists, business leaders and govemment officials. I went to Mauna Kea to meet with the protectors, to get to know them and to listen to their mana'o on how and why they eoncluded that the development of the TMT was 'a'ole pono and further desecration to the piko, the center of the genesis of the Hawaiian people.

I have spoken to pro-TMT advocates who believe that science is the future and the advancement of mankind. There are two views on this issue, but clearly only one that speaks to the heart of the issue. Science and astronomy have not been neglected by the UH or State leadership. There are 13 telescopes on the mountain. This would be the most obtmsive, measuring over 18 stories high with a footprint of 8 acres.

I examined the real facts about Mauna Kea and learned llial: Hawaiians have spent many years on this issue and have been involved in contesting the permitting and uses of Mauna Kea as a science reserve. They have pursued this process for over 15 years. One of the contested case participants is the KAHEA, the Hawaiian Environmental Allianee. Its website contains a chronology of the ehain of events of the Mauna Kea history and also many important facts such as: The law requires the protection, preservation and conservation of Mauna Kea and Haleakalā through "appropriate management" and promotion of "long-term sustainability and the public health, safety and welfare." (HRS 183C) The law requires the state to collect fair mai kel rent on our mountains, for the benefit of the people of Hawai'i. All 13 telescopes pay $1 a year lease rents. The law requires the state to develop comprehensive management plans, ( HAR 183C). Over the years, the BLNR has eonsistently "rubber-stamped" Conservation District Use Permits (CDUP) for telescope development, without mueh study of the area or assessment of impacts. On Mauna Kea, two reports by the Hawai'i State Auditor criticized BLNR and the UH, finding management of Mauna Kea "inadequate to ensure the protection of natural resources" and "neglected ... the cultural value of Mauna Kea." ■

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Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey

TrustEE, Maui