HONOLULU — The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is revisiting its stance on building one of the world’s largest telescopes near the summit of Mauna Kea.
HONOLULU — The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is revisiting its stance on building one of the world’s largest telescopes near the summit of Mauna Kea.
The $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope project is facing opposition from those who say building it on Mauna Kea would desecrate sacred land.
OHA board of trustees in 2009 voted to support the telescope’s location on the mountain. Trustees said they would take a vote Thursday whether to maintain that position, rescind support to take a neutral stance or oppose the project.
It’s unclear how OHA’s position could affect the project. The office is a public agency tasked with improving the well-being of Native Hawaiians. The office would receive a percentage of rent paid for the sublease of the land the University of Hawaii leases from the state.
Public opposition has been mounting since 31 protesters blocking the construction site were arrested earlier this month. The company building the telescope agreed to extend a construction moratorium amid the protests.
Opponents and supporters filled a boardroom at Thursday’s meeting, with many having to watch via video in the lobby.
Before hearing public testimony, trustees listened to a staff briefing on the issue. The project would help elevate the University of Hawaii, provide funding for educational opportunities and create jobs, Jocelyn Doane, OHA senior public policy advocate, told the trustees. But, she said, it would also have negative impacts.
“It’s also about self-determination, control of our resources we feel are ours,” she said.
She noted that the sublease is expected to be extended to 2079.
“We’re talking about 110 years of management by an organization that has not necessarily benefited Hawaiians,” she said. “We were a kingdom 120 years ago.”
Sterling Wong, OHA public policy manager, cautioned trustees that changing the agency’s position could further a public perception that “OHA is indecisive, is unreliable and not willing to take a hard stance.”
Through tears, aspiring astronomer Mailani Neal told trustees that as a Native Hawaiian, the telescope will allow her to work in Hawaii one day. The Hawaii Preparatory Academy high school senior skipped school to travel from her home in Kailua-Kona with her parents to testify at the meeting.
While she spoke, some in the audience made negative comments that caught the ire of trustee Colette Machado. “Hilahila to the people in the back,” she said, using the Hawaiian term for shame. If people couldn’t be respectful, “get out,” she scolded.
Kuuipo Freitas, a master’s degree student in Hawaiian language and literature at the University of Hawaii’s Hilo campus, said she was one of the 31 protesters arrested.
“Standing for the mauna, the biggest gain of all will be the support and trust of the Hawaiian people. That’s what OHA has been striving for for years,” she said.
The rent and money for education is “soft money,” she said. “OHA needs to stop bowing down to the dollar and starting bowing down to the mauna.”
Sovereignty activist Bumpy Kanahele told trustees their decision is clear. “We gotta stop the TMT period. Our national sovereignty is on the line.”