Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea

by Jim

On Friday, February 25, 2011 the State BLNR will be deciding whether to issue a permit for construction of a Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) atop Mauna Kea. Send testimony to

Below is Jim Albertini's testimony in opposition.

I am opposed to any and all permits for the TMT on Mauna Kea. I believe the issues of expanding military training and industrial development on Mauna Kea is a microcosm for our fragile world. Our planet is now facing profound life threatening climate change due to the cumulative effects of global industrial development. No single, particular, industrial development can be said to have caused the global tipping point. But it is clear our planet's ecosystem is now in dire straights due to the cumulative effects of industrial development, and the crisis is accelerating.

As we all know, Mauna Kea is sacred. It is a revered temple by the Kanaka Maoli, the native people of this place, and native people around the Pacific. It is a fragile environment that already has suffered from extensive industrial development. We give lip service to these facts but then we go forward with more industrial development on Mauna Kea. Today, we have the lure of TMT -- bigger-is-better, more jobs, world class astronomy status, major PR efforts, and community pay offs by the vested economic and scientific community. But all of this has not stopped the growing tension of science vs the sacred, industrial development vs environmental preservation.

It is time for Hawaii and our world to affirm the sacred over science, environmental preservation over further industrial development. It is time to restore our balance with nature, to become pono. We have become so far out of balance that it is difficult for us to see clearly, to see ourselves as we truly are. In many ways, we have become military/industrial drunks, believing that one more military/industrial drink won't hurt us, one more for the road. One more for jobs, one more for "full spectrum dominance" and world class astronomy.

One more industrial drink on the road to global military/industrial destruction is not the answer. TMT is not the answer. More industrial development is not the solution to the problems of industrial development. To find our staggering, drunken, way home to what is pono, is not an easy task. But one thing is clear: the means we use must be in line with the end that we seek. The means and ends must cohere. Industry can no longer dominate the temple and the fragile environment. Those days are over, long gone. Non-violence is a sacred principle we better relearn quickly if we are going to survive as a species.

The meaning of non-violence is clear for those who have eyes to see our present situation. No more military/industrial drinking on Mauna Kea! It is time for clear vision and clear speaking, followed by clear action. Honor and protect Mauna Kea. Deny the TMT permits.

Send the military/industrialists to Rehab!

1. Mourn all victims of violence.
2. Reject war as a solution.
3. Defend civil liberties.
4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc.
5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.

Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.
Phone . Email http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (Feb. 25, 2011 - 493rd week) - Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office