Letters | 4-13-15

TMT advocates are stuck in the past

Last week, hundreds of Hawaiians and other concerned citizens stood watch on Mauna Kea to keep a pristine area near the summit from being bulldozed for the massive Thirty Meter Telescope.

In recent years, many have testified about Mauna Kea’s significance and the importance of protecting the mountain from further development, but why in this day and age does this even have to be discussed? Mauna Kea is protected by state law as a conservation district and historic property, and by federal law as a national natural landmark. I don’t get it.

As a participant at many of the TMT hearings, I always left sensing that the decision-makers weren’t listening, and I concluded that their thinking was stuck in the past. They’re habituated to always advocate developing the land no matter what — like a broken record. It’s time for that type of archaic thinking to change in Hawaii.

The Hawaiians’ appeal of the Board of Land and Natural Resources’ TMT permit will soon be in the hands of the state Supreme Court. Yet the TMT Corp., supported by the University of Hawaii, disrespectfully sent bulldozers to the summit area before that case is even heard. Their archaic thinking was further exemplified when TMT Project Manager Gary Sanders said that the TMT has been “granted the right to quiet enjoyment of its property,” as if it’s just a parcel in a subdivision.

I hope and pray that the governor, mayor, DLNR and UH shake off their outmoded way of seeing things and look at our mountain and the proposed TMT development with fresh eyes. Even if they can’t pull that off, I’m confidant their out-of-date thinking will soon be rebuked in court, because our state and federal protections will save the mountain from development. The TMT will never see the light.

Catherine Robbins

Volcano