The “protectors” on Mauna Kea are bolstered and emboldened by social and conventional media. They revel in notoriety, transforming from unknowns to celebrities. Who can forget their leader, earlier theatrically posturing with his silly warrior helmet a la King Kamehameha? They ooze self-righteousness, but hide behind their kupuna. Do we need an official state referendum to dispel this manufactured delusion of public protector support? We must see that this impasse impacts globally, not just Hawaii.

Shall we allow religion and cultural traditions continue to cripple mankind? Consider Roman and Greek gods underpinning their society; Copernicus’ heresy; Myanmar’s genocide of Muslims; and voodoo religion in Haiti.

Protesters blocking public roads is clearly anarchy, not free speech. Look up the definition of anarchy to see that this is not hyperbolic. Use of force is justified and appropriate. Then all discussion of economic benefits and expansion of human knowledge, versus violation of sacred lands, becomes irrelevant.

George Nakamura

Mililani

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