I’ve long respected former Gov. George Ariyoshi. However, I found his statement used by the Thirty Meter Telescope in an advertisement wanting. The answer to the TMT controversy is not “simple,” as Ariyoshi claimed. Rather, it is complex.

To him, it’s simple because support for TMT boils down to support of “knowledge.” But whose knowledge and what kind of knowledge — scientific or spiritual, material or metaphysical, legal or moral? Are we speaking of knowledge that is pure or for profit? If the latter, who is reaping the greatest profit?

TMT presents us with an ethical dilemma. We each need to decide whether in this particular instance, we give greater value to an unprecedented spiritual awakening than to potential scientific knowledge. Do we assign a higher claim to the protectors of Mauna Kea than to the promoters of TMT?

I was one of about a hundred clergy who signed a petition to voice our support to the protectors. Should they prevail, then a truly significant turning point will take place in Hawaii’s history.

Wally Fukunaga

Makiki

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