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They picked an easy, weak, fragile target, and are saying it stands for everything. As a part-Native Hawaiian, I see the makings of a huge tactical mistake.
If the protesters “win,” it will be a hollow victory over the already threatened institutions of science and academia. Meanwhile, all the injustices that Native Hawaiians face will remain.
I agree that this is a pivotal moment in Native Hawaiian history. Why not take this incredible leverage and stop the military from conducting live-fire training in Makua or Pohakuloa? Why not demand federally protected Hawaiian waters be reopened to subsistence fishing? Why not ask for more valuable land that can be leveraged to raise kanaka maoli out of poverty? Or demand more programs to support the Hawaiian language renaissance?
If this is about more than a telescope and Mauna Kea, have that conversation. Look earnestly at all the effort and money the Thirty Meter Telescope has put into connecting with the community. Choose a meaningful demand, reach a real compromise, start the healing and foster an ongoing conversation.
Ryan Ozawa
Mililani
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