The mission of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is to better the conditions of Native Hawaiians, and the agency does not control the fate of the Thirty Meter Telescope atop Mauna Kea, now stalled in court.
But OHA is working on a memorandum of agreement with the University of Hawaii regarding Mauna Kea management. And Honolulu Star-Advertiser readers have been asking whether OHA board of trustees candidates support TMT. Here are responses to an emailed survey, edited for brevity.
Candidates for Oahu-resident seat:
>> Jackie Kahookele Burke: I am a Hawaiian culture-based person. If Madame Pele isn’t happy, neither am I, besides, earthquakes are not good for telescopes.
>> Esther Kia‘aina: I do not believe Mauna Kea is being properly managed, and I believe that Native Hawaiians should have a greater say in such management and determining the future of Mauna Kea.
>>Samuel Wilder King II: I support the TMT and the proper management and protection of Mauna Kea. Both can co-exist, and in fact TMT will pay millions for the management of Mauna Kea … TMT is indicative of why there is a need for new leadership at the top of OHA.
>> Francine Kanani Murray: Mauna Kea is a sacred place. … I would like the obsolete telescopes removed and the area restored. … I would support a plan for respectful, responsible development that creates jobs for Hawaiians.
>> Paul Mossman: Since the TMT is wrapped up in the question of the disposition of Crown-Ceded Lands and the lack of any real control Hawaiians have over their land or monetary assets, my objection is over the process … awarding use of this site.
Candidates for OHA at-large seats:
>> William J. Aila Jr.: While chairman of DLNR I voted to support TMT and UH on their Conservation District Use Application permit. I believe that science and culture can coexist on the Mauna. It is now up to the State Supreme Court to decide.
>> Lei Ahu Isa: Declined to comment since the issue is in litigation and OHA is working on a memorandum of agreement with UH.
>>Rowena Akana: My position has always been to support the people on the island. However, my big gripe is not with TMT it is with the University and the state for their mismanagement of the mountain … The mountain has been destroyed by reckless developers of the 13 telescopes…
>> C. Kaui Jochanan Amsterdam: Mauna Kea is crown land and as such exemplifies the necessity of Native Hawaiians having our governing entity, which enables or empower control over such crown land as Mauna Kea.
>> Brendon Kalei‘aina Lee: Do I favor exploration of the heavens, the creation of jobs on Hawaii island, the millions of dollars [from TMT] … given to public education? Yes. Am I in favor of UH handling the lease of TMT and continued mismanagement? No.
>> Kealii Makekau: Until decommissioning of the obsolete ones is done and a master plan along with an Environmental Impact Statement is submitted for public approval, No!
>> Landen Paikai: While I support astronomy and the sciences and … educating our future generations, I cannot support the building of another telescope that will further desecrate and compromise the land and resources that our Mauna provides our people.
>> Pohai Ryan: No construction of any kind should happen until the following is completed: removal of vacant structures, replacement of UH as management company, utility road is completed, place markers to indicate historical and cultural sites, and more.
>> Lei Sharsh-Davis: I do not support TMT as being built at this time. More dialogue with the different groups of Hawaii need to be included in the discussion. It’s about respect. When you make decisions without everyone’s input that is not pono.
This story has been amended to include responses from candidates Samuel Wilder King II and Rowena Akana.
