TMT visibility indeed 14% ADVERTISING TMT visibility indeed 14% This is a response to the “TMT visible from highways” opinion published on Oct. 28. Everett Franco writes, ‘“Did you know TMT will only be visible from 14 percent of the
TMT visibility indeed 14%
This is a response to the “TMT visible from highways” opinion published on Oct. 28.
Everett Franco writes, ‘“Did you know TMT will only be visible from 14 percent of the island? This is a false statement … (TMT) will be visible 100 percent of the time as we, residents and visitors alike, traverse our island’s highways and roads and gaze upon our majestic Mauna Kea.”
TMT will only be visible from 14 percent of the island is a correct statement. The number comes from viewshed analyses to determine visibility to or from particular points. The total surface of the island where TMT will be visible is indeed 14 percent.
Simply put, whether you are standing in your driveway or driving to grandma’s house, if you are in this 14 percent area, TMT will be visible. Of course, the amount of visibility will vary depending on where you are, the environment around you, etc. It is also important to note that unless you are Superman and have telescopic vision, the current landscape of the mountain with existing observatories will not change much as seen from highways and populated areas. For a more visual and detailed explanation, I recommend reading the TMT FEIS, available online, where you can refer to page 180-803, section 3-92 through 94. I also recommend keeping your eyes on the road while driving.
I am not a scientist, and have no affiliation with TMT. My family comes from a very mixed background and I have lived and traveled to many parts of the world. I chose Hawaii as my home mostly because of its natural beauty. That said, it is impossible to avoid change in a modern world and important to carefully evaluate the pro and cons of those changes. Being a Waikoloa resident, I often travel the highways mentioned in Franco’s letter. I find the man-made gates, embankments, golf courses, and environments created around the ever sprouting structures, condos, resorts along the coast, extremely disturbing. In contrast, looking at the telescopes on beautiful Mauna Kea gives me a feeling of awe and reminds me of human ingenuity, courage and aspirations to discover and understand the universe where our small, pale blue dot, our planet Earth, resides. It is a humbling feeling and a reminder, as Carl Sagan once wrote, that “The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena.”
Isabelle De Groote
Waikoloa
