Scientists & Hawaiians Struggle Over the Sacred Mauna Kea, by Shepherd Bliss
Hawai'i's Mauna Kea, the Pacific Ocean's highest peak, houses the planet's largest and most powerful telescopes. The dormant volcano's unique environment also hosts some of the native Hawaiians' most sacred sites and burial grounds. The mountain is the best place in the world for astronomers to see the stars, whereas Hawaiians consider it a holy temple.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), other countries, and various universities and scientific organizations want to build more massive telescopes on the sacred site. But the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) - an official state agency set up to improve the condition of Hawai'i's native population - has challenged the powerful governmental, scientific, and academic institutions in court.
Cultural practitioners, environmentalists, and local people have already delayed the expansion for two years. OHA will begin oral arguments in federal court in Honolulu November 18 to demand that the proposed $50 million expansion undergo an extensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Such a study would be expensive, take at least a year, and cover ecological, social, cultural, and economic issues. The lawsuit is against NASA and the University of Hawai'i's Institute of Astronomy.
Hawai'i's Mauna Kea, the Pacific Ocean's highest peak, houses the planet's largest and most powerful telescopes. The dormant volcano's unique environment also hosts some of the native Hawaiians' most sacred sites and burial grounds. The mountain is the best place in the world for astronomers to see the stars, whereas Hawaiians consider it a holy temple.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), other countries, and various universities and scientific organizations want to build more massive telescopes on the sacred site. But the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) - an official state agency set up to improve the condition of Hawai'i's native population - has challenged the powerful governmental, scientific, and academic institutions in court.
Cultural practitioners, environmentalists, and local people have already delayed the expansion for two years. OHA will begin oral arguments in federal court in Honolulu November 18 to demand that the proposed $50 million expansion undergo an extensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Such a study would be expensive, take at least a year, and cover ecological, social, cultural, and economic issues. The lawsuit is against NASA and the University of Hawai'i's Institute of Astronomy.