13.3 Reflection on Project #3.

Is your voice being heard by the state of Hawaii?

By Andrew D Rocha

Native Hawaiians against the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) construction site have been protesting and are trying to impede the desecration of Mauna Kea, one of the most sacred sites in Hawaii. Who is allowing this to happen against the people’s general opinion on the matter? The state of Hawaii is enabling the TMT construction site by approving building permits.This is not the first incident the state has allowed development on sacred lands. The only evidence that the Hawaiian’s cry is being heard is the questioning of the building permit’s legitimacy by the supreme justices. What about the elected official that was called upon to reflect the people's voice? Governor David Ige of Hawaii says he respects orderly protesters and that the TMT Board has no legal issues. He believes that the TMT Board has spent years planning and conducting community outreach events; allowing the organization to legally secure permits to build on the mountain. Governor Ige also says that the approvals needed by the state of Hawaii are in order for construction to restart. How can a representative of the state's people respect protesters and not listen to what these natives are protesting about? Why are the requests to reverse the permit authorizations not being considered? Construction has been halted for more that 6 months due to the efforts of protesters. So what can you do to make your voice be heard?

Was the state of Hawaii listening to the community

when enabling the TMT construction site?

Is the government helping the TMT organization or the people of Hawaii? The Department of Land and Natural Resources issued building permits. Governor Ige made an emergency rule that prohibits camping gear and access to the mountain from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. on the 8 mile road to the Mauna Kea construction site. These actions have been accompanied by 31 arrests made by the police department when protesters blocked the road to the construction site. Groups of native Hawaiians went to the Supreme Court to argue building the TMT because the mountain is one of most significant cultural sites in Hawaii. Native Hawaiians are against the development and desecration of its sovereign land and have been since the Hawaiian Queen was overthrown by US supported businessmen. The desecration of Mauna Kea is a deep cut to the natives because it is believed to be the origin of the Hawaiian people. The mountain is deeply respected, worshipped, and reserved for shrines, prayer, special ceremonies, and burial of ancestors[5].

What actions has the community taken against TMT construction site?

Continue supporting the efforts of community leaders in whatever way you can. Attend community meetings, educate yourself with valid facts and educate others with sources to have a stronger argument. Any of these actions help to draw a response out of the people affected by the issue. Write letters to Governor David Ige and tell him why he needs to listen to your voice as a community member and why the destruction of Mauna Kea is a huge mistake.

In a great attempt to save the sacred mountain from defilement, the natives have peacefully opposed in many ways[7]. They have set boulders on roads, made human roadblocks[8], educated the public about the significance of the selected construction site, and have made oral arguments at the Hawaiian Supreme Court against the TMT construction on that particular site[6]. The oral arguments heard at the Supreme Court of Hawaii were expedited to advance without having to go the the intermediate court system. These actions have been exceptionally successful and have affected other Hawaiian islands. Protesting has spread to the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope construction site on Maui against the development of sacred lands. The native Hawaiians are upset with the state government for giving away their sovereign land. These major peaceful protests have halted construction for months[3], despite the fact that there were 31 arrests made by the police department[1]. Lino Kamakau, branch chief officer with DLNR Hawaii County said, "I hope you guys understand what I gotta do. Our number one thing right now is public safety. We're not going up [the mountain]."[8]

What can we do to to be heard?

For those with limited resources and time, signing a petition can go a long way. As a democracy, your voice should be heard; but keep in mind that if a community wants to be heard, everyone needs to speak loud and clear for the governor to be implored to take an action that is in favor of the public’s requests. 

Here are some ways to take action!

1. Sign a petition to Governor David Ige

2. Download the TMT factsheet

3. Download the Mauna Kea fact sheet.

Molly Solomon. “Native Hawaiians dance in honor of Mauna Kea at the base of Pu'u Huluhulu on the Big Island” via NPR. 04/21/2015. noncommercial use without modification

Bibliography

1) The Associated Press, “8 Arrested in Protest Against Telescope on Hawaii Mountain,” in The New York Times (2015).

2) The Associated Press, “Astronomers Gather in Hawaii Amid Telescope Tensions,” in The New York Times (2015).

3) "Astronomers to restart construction of controversial telescope in Hawaii," http://news.sciencemag.org/policy/2015/06/astronomers-restart-construction-controversial-telescope-hawaii.

4) M. Solomon, “Construction Of Giant Telescope In Hawaii Draws Natives’ Ire,” NPR.org, 21 April 2015, <http://www.npr.org/2015/04/21/400390724/construction-of-giant-telescope-in-hawaii-draws-natives-ire> (accessed 10 September 2015).

6) “Hawaii Supreme Court hears Mauna Kea telescope case,” dnews.pk, 28 August 2015, <http://pkdnews.tumblr.com/post/127765100844/hawaii-supreme-court-hears-mauna-kea-telescope> (accessed 10 September 2015).

5) J. Stromberg, “Construction of Hawaii’s controversial Thirty Meter Telescope is cleared to proceed,” Vox, 27 May 2015, <http://www.vox.com/2015/5/27/8669269/hawaii-tmt-telescope-mauna-kea> (accessed 10 September 2015). 7)D. Corrigan, "Mauna Kea TMT Blockade Arrests," https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR3dDKUZRlM

10) PBS HAWAII, “Should the Thirty Meter Telescope Be Built?,” YouTube, 31 May 2015, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMKgNSb1cE0> (accessed 6 September 2015).

8)K. Dickerson, "Protesters stop telescope construction on Hawaii’s Mauna Kea," http://www.businessinsider.com/thirty-meter-telescope-construction-halted-on-hawaiis-mauna-kea-2015-6. 9) M. Solomon, "Scientists on TMT: Not Of One Mind," http://hpr2.org/post/scientists-tmt-not-one-mind#stream/0.

Reflection on project 2

The revisions done on this project were mostly punctuation, with a specific focus on getting the genre the correct feel. The greatest global change I made was asking a lot more questions. I felt that by following the examples I had chosen for my genre would help me gain more influence to activists. I felt that the global change was brought about when I realized that the audience is looking to be persuaded and influenced if they are already curious about the subject. I feel that the global revision increased my credibility as an author because I understood that a call for action in the correct manner will generate more action. The global revision better addresses my audience better by agreeing with what they already think and feeding the motivation to act. My local revisions were mostly to enhance clarification take a stronger position by the tone I took. I felt that the blog genre to reach my audience was best for a call to action. The process of reflection has taught me that as an author, I should take care to view my projects from the perspective of the audience and to do that I need to consider the message and content.