"There has been a federal take-over of Hawaiian land on Mauna Kea," complained Ching outside the hearing, suggesting that the U.H. serves as a front for NASA and other governmental offices invested in the observatory, including the Air Force. Concern about the further militarization of the mountain during a time of war-making was expressed. "The university is supposed to protect native rights," Ching asserted. "But they try to avoid any discussion of the matter."
Ching, who has finished the Honolulu marathon 15 times, later told of leading a group of cultural practitioners from the sea to the summit and back to the sea on the other side of the mountain. "We walked in the footsteps of our ancestors," Ching testified. "I will never forget the week I spent on this mountain on an island." He lamented, "When Hawaiians in Hilo look at the mountain, it is hard not to see the observatory." Ching concluded, "I am not anti-astronomy. I majored in chemistry and consider myself a kind of scientist. I do want the astronomers to follow the rules." The hearing's testimony would shift back and forth from the scientific to the spiritual to the legal.
Astronomers can be arrogant. An example is a Feb. 17 commentary in the Honolulu Advertiser by a U.H.-Hilo astronomy professor. He begins by the speculation "If Queen Lili'uokalani had lived today she might have been an astronomer." Rather lofty to suggest that one's own profession would be noble enough for the Queen. He concludes "that if Lili'uokalani were alive today, she'd surely say that there's room for everybody on the summit ofMauna Kea." Rather presumptuous for a Western man to speak so "surely" for a native Queen.
Ching, who has finished the Honolulu marathon 15 times, later told of leading a group of cultural practitioners from the sea to the summit and back to the sea on the other side of the mountain. "We walked in the footsteps of our ancestors," Ching testified. "I will never forget the week I spent on this mountain on an island." He lamented, "When Hawaiians in Hilo look at the mountain, it is hard not to see the observatory." Ching concluded, "I am not anti-astronomy. I majored in chemistry and consider myself a kind of scientist. I do want the astronomers to follow the rules." The hearing's testimony would shift back and forth from the scientific to the spiritual to the legal.
Astronomers can be arrogant. An example is a Feb. 17 commentary in the Honolulu Advertiser by a U.H.-Hilo astronomy professor. He begins by the speculation "If Queen Lili'uokalani had lived today she might have been an astronomer." Rather lofty to suggest that one's own profession would be noble enough for the Queen. He concludes "that if Lili'uokalani were alive today, she'd surely say that there's room for everybody on the summit ofMauna Kea." Rather presumptuous for a Western man to speak so "surely" for a native Queen.