Public support for telescope increases
COURTESY NATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY OF JAPAN
An artist’s rendering of the Thirty Meter Telescope at night.
The Thirty Meter Telescope might be a Big Island project, but Oahu is clearly TMT country.
In the latest Hawaii Poll, more than three-quarters of Oahu’s likely primary voters say they support construction of the controversial $1.4 billion astronomy project, and more than half say it would negatively affect Hawaii’s business reputation if it does not go forward.
Ward Research Inc. asked 401 would-be voters their opinions on a range of issues in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s latest scientific survey, conducted June 30 through July 9.
On one of the state’s hottest topics for more than a year, 76 percent of Oahu residents responded that they support moving ahead with construction of the TMT on Mauna Kea, while 17 percent are opposed to advancing the project, and 8 percent either didn’t know or declined to answer the question. The margin of error is 4.9 percent.
Even most of Oahu’s Native Hawaiians are backing the TMT, with 57 percent supporting construction and 40 percent opposing while 4 percent didn’t know or declined to answer. The margin of error is 12.9 percent.
In addition, 57 percent of Oahu voters said there would be a negative effect on Hawaii’s business reputation if the next-generation telescope were not built. Of those, 26 percent went a step further and indicated that failure to build would negatively affect Hawaii’s business reputation strongly.
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Eight percent said there would be a positive effect on Hawaii’s business reputation if the TMT were not built, while 30 percent said they didn’t think there would be any effect. Some 5 percent didn’t know or declined to answer. The margin of error is 4.9 percent.
As for Native Hawaiians, 57 percent said not building the TMT would have a negative effect on the state’s business reputation, while 15 percent said it would have a positive effect and 38 percent said there would be no effect.
The TMT remains stalled after protesters repeatedly blocked construction crews on the mountain last year and then the state Supreme Court in December ruled that the state committed a due-process error in approving the project’s conservation district use permit in 2011. The high court invalidated the permit and ordered a new contested case hearing, which should be getting underway in the next few months.
When looking back to the last Hawaii Poll six months ago, it appears support for the TMT is on the rise on Oahu, while opposition is diminishing. In January 70 percent expressed support for the telescope while 24 percent opposed the project.
Statewide in January the Hawaii Poll found more than two-thirds of the state’s registered voters backing the telescope, while most of the Native Hawaiians who were asked did not. Some 59 percent of Hawaiians statewide said they opposed the TMT’s construction, while 39 percent offered support. Just 2 percent declined to give an opinion.
Scott Ishikawa, spokesman for the California- based TMT, said he was pleased by the results of the newest poll.
“These poll results affirm what we have been seeing and experiencing out in the community over the last several months, which is an overwhelmingly positive sentiment toward TMT,” he said in a statement. “We’ve heard repeatedly from people how appreciative and excited they are about the THINK Fund, the workforce pipeline program and other benefits TMT brings to Hawaii. The support is truly welcome and we are grateful for it. We, once again, thank all of our supporters in Hawaii.”
Kealoha Pisciotta of the Mauna Kea Hui, the litigants against TMT, said she was disappointed. She said most folks apparently don’t understand how the state Constitution protects the cultural and traditional practices that will be affected by the massive project near the mountain’s summit.
Pisciotta said it appears the Honolulu public relations firm TMT hired is swaying public opinion.
“We’re going on aloha, not on a PR firm,” she said.
University of Hawaii astronomer Paul Coleman, who is also a Native Hawaiian, said he’s surprised the poll doesn’t show higher numbers in support of the TMT.
“If you look at the facts and you’re not hurt by the past, you realize it’s all good, a very positive thing for Hawaii,” he said.
20160719 Hawaii Poll Tables July 2016 – TMT by Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Scribd
42 responses to “Public support for telescope increases”
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You’d have to be really low on the evolutionary ladder to oppose something beneficial to Hawaii and the rest of the world, as the telescope.
Plus, studying the stars is what the ancient Hawaiians used the mountain for. It’s sad that the Hawaiian culture has been perverted by people trying to push their personal agendas and quest for notoriety.
true and, as Peter Apo has pointed out, the mountain is in no way sacred nor was it for ancient Hawaiians. The entire narrative is a shibai. Hawaiians are just as capable of science as any other people.
Ignoramuses and welfare people are against it
The margin of error is 12.9 percent. Not a survey of importance. Blowing up a poorly executed survey.
Not all that surprised that a majority are in favor of the telescope, but I am pleased. This is a good thing for Hawaii, native Hawaiians included.
I am not surprised that the majority of Hawaiians are in favor of this telescope. I didn’t think the Hawaiians against it would be so high at 40% though. Just shows that imaginary fears are everywhere.
percentage of welfare people.
Did you read? The margin of error is 12.9 percent. Not a survey of importance.
Dynamite and Bulldoze conservation zoned land with enough hush money flowing. The offer of hush money is an insult to the intelligence of the people of Hawaii. These land based toys will never take pictures of deep space as the Hubble. One dollar a year lease to use these conservation lands for these eyesores and these eyesores are leased for thousands a night to the highest bidder. This is a cruel joke.
Eleu is mis-named; should be Hupo. Nobody is profiting from telescopes. They are scientific instruments costing hundreds of millions of dollars to build and maintain. Institutions which use them but did not build them are expected to help pay the costs.
These land based toys will never compete with space technology telescopes. These institutions only take care of those with money to play with them in their private sandbox.
NASA’s Kepler space telescope has spotted four possibly rocky alien planets orbiting the same star, and two of these newfound worlds might be capable of supporting life.
SEE:http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/2-newfound-alien-planets-may-be-capable-of-supporting-life/
Wrong wrong wrong. The Hubble can’t be everywhere, all the time, and available for all the astronomers and students worldwide, otherwise there would be no need for any telescopes. And, if you ever read your newspaper, there have been many articles in the past few months on new discoveries… by land-based telescopes!
And recent technology improves the lens to allow land based telescopes to get images that rival the Hubble. A few even got better images.
And how much did it cost to get the bus sized Hubble up there in space? And how much more to fix its mirror? And that was just the 1st upgrade.
Research funds are counted in GDP. Someone benefits!
It sounds like the people have spoken.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I sure don’t consider them eyesores but even if they were they would be worth it. Shame you are against knowledge.
The core arguments surrounding this project should transcend money. What is the highest good for the largest number of people. … that almost sounds like democratic principles. The Hawaiian legacy I favor is that they were historically resourceful explorers.
Eleu808, the rest of the world is watching us. Do we place value on the advancement of science, technology, knowledge, and understanding of our universe and ourselves, or do we only value the religious beliefs of a Hawaiian religion banned by King Kamehameha II, Liholiho, and only care about the hula and other Hawaiian cultural practices, and reject educational,scientific, and economic progress. We need to move toward the light of knowledge, and not remain in the darkness of ignorant savages
eleu, you are befuddled, that is all.
Not true. The Hubble is only 2.4 meters in diameter and extremely expensive to maintain and operate. Its life is also quite short compared to the TMT. TMT will also pay much more now than one dollar. I don’t remember how much though.
There seems to be similarity as well as irony between the TMT project and Hokule`a’s voyages. Both are voyages of discovery, bridging traditional and new technologies, while emphasizing sharing, learning, and sustainability for earth and its communities. While Hokule`a has been welcomed in the waters surrounding the communities and countries it has visited, all of Hawai`i has not been as welcoming of the TMT project. But perhaps the tide is shifting, and more of Hawai`i is now beginning to show aloha for the TMT project, the same kind of aloha that Hokule`a is encountering in its voyages.
Very good post! I notice the PV array on the Hokulea as well as the numerous webcasts from the deck. I’m sure many members of the crew have Dryfit and Goretex clothing. Preserving the past doesn’t mean you have to live in it. How do we combine traditional knowledge with modern science? Just as modern science shouldn’t overwrite traditional knowledge and practices, the old ways shouldn’t stop modern science.
Excellent post Papakolea, let’s hope more Hawaiians read and take heed to what you posted.
Regarding Hokulea i never expected all the attention that their having at all of their stops. Tonight on KITV at 7:00 i belive there will be an hour long program on their voyage. Will be interesting.
True and Nainoa Thompson has repeatedly said that Hawaiians are capable of science and learning. His voyages show the power of Hawaiian navigation, observation, and reasoning.
This project should have been started if things were done the right way to begin with. All the time and money spent to this point all to waste. Hope parties involved can come to some sort of agreement so this project can go forward.
I do not understand how a minority group of people can hold hostage the TMT project. We are a democracy, and in a democracy, the majority usually prevails.
Oligarchy is minority rule. What we are practicing in America is not democracy. Democracy is not just majority rule. When everyone’s ideas matter and we truly seek solutions for all, only then will we be practicing democracy.
And Governor Dizzy Iggy will BOW to the Vocal MINORITY !! What a wimp and stooge to the people who yell the loudest. Funny how the Hawaiians who declare Da Mountain sacred drive their trucks and cars on Mauna Kea, desecrating the very mountain they claim to be protecting !!!
There are 22 observatory structures on the Mauna Kea summit, some have been there since 1968. Some are no longer in use and are essentially abandoned. There has never been a decommissioning and removal of any of these observatory structures since 1968. TMT does not have a properly itirated decommissioning plan, nor is it funded. Yet, they propose to install a five acre, Aloha Stadium sized, 18 storey structure at the summit. All in a conservation zoned area, to be hauled up miles of conservation land. TMT proponents acknowledge its construction will cause irremedial harm. TMT can be built elsewhere, and it should be. Beyond the almighty buck, which seems to be the prevailing theme in the comments below, there are many ways to closely observe our environment and it certainly can be done in a manner which does not imperil our land use designations. Ends do not justify means.
“Our Land” Who is our in your isolationist statement? The discoveries justify the means.
All citizens in Hawaii own public lands hon. Not just “Hawaiians” who are mostly Caucasian and Asian-American in ethnicity in any case. Put it to the vote of all the people.
TMT, and astronomy overall, is the right use for the land. If there are unused facilities, then let’s work on decommissioning them, but it’s not a reason to prevent TMT. The term “conservation” implies using the land in the best possible way–today, this is it.
“I am glad to see you all, and to know that each of you is desirous of attaining intellectual advancement. It shows the progress of the world. The world cannot stand still. We must either advance or recede”, Queen Liliokalani, speaking at a reception she gave for the National Park School in 1897.
Wow rosekeala, can you please please keep on posting that every time a Hawaiian group protests progress. You gave me chicken skin. That was awesome.
Excellent quote from Queen Liliokalani. She was an intelligent and compassionate queen.
I am confused. Where do the protesters of TMT get their info? Do they get spiritual guidance from Madam Pele? How do they know that TMT is not blessed by the Spirit as much as the growth of Hawaii in the past 200 years? They are assuming they know what the Spirit wants. I pray that the Spirit will not punish them for their presumptive claim.
Ban welfare and I promise you the problem will disappear. All social problems will disappear. Homelessness, too. Liberalism and socialism are failures. Communism doesn’t work.
Before you seek to ban welfare, do your research on the origins and reasons for welfare in the 14-1700s. Then your ‘opinions’ may change due to knowledge, not ignorance.
It appears that any “malama the aina” movement is outside funded “non-profits.” They essentially use the court system to block everything and litigate to drain businesses. As much as Pisciotta is complaining about PR, she isn’t sharing what she knows on her side’s funding for the public to see.