Meet Alexis and Alyssa, as they share the impact the astronomy industry has made on them personally and professionally, and in the Hawaii Island community.
"Participating in astronomy is my way of connecting to my Hawaiian ancestry and culture. Hawaiians are observational scientists who use the stars and natural phenomena to better understand our world and take care of it." -Alyssa Grace
To learn more about TMT visit https://www.maunakeaandtmt.org
"Participating in astronomy is my way of connecting to my Hawaiian ancestry and culture. Hawaiians are observational scientists who use the stars and natural phenomena to better understand our world and take care of it." -Alyssa Grace
To learn more about TMT visit https://www.maunakeaandtmt.org
Here's the fourth and final part of #AssociateProjectManager's blog about black holes: Searching for Leviathan. https://www.tmt.org/blog/searching-for-leviathan-part-4
During and after the planning/EIS process, TMT met with Native Hawaii cultural practitioners, unions, educational institutions, environmental and sustainability groups, and Ali`i trusts.
Learn more on our website at: https://www.maunakeaandtmt.org/facts-about-tmt/#which-groups
Learn more on our website at: https://www.maunakeaandtmt.org/facts-about-tmt/#which-groups
#ICYMI Josh Walawender wrote this letter to editor on Civil beat about Hawaii's scientific contributions. Read his full letter below:
https://www.civilbeat.org/…/hawaiis-role-in-science-is-a-b…/
https://www.civilbeat.org/…/hawaiis-role-in-science-is-a-b…/
Happy anniversary to one of the shows that inspired so many to go into STEM fields. ๐ #LiveLongAndProsper #StarTrekDay
Thanks for your support Earl. Earl writes in his letter to the editor:
I love Hawaii, the Hawaiian people and the multicultural environment.
The Thirty Meter Telescope issue has divided my family and friends.
...
I love Hawaii, the Hawaiian people and the multicultural environment.
The Thirty Meter Telescope issue has divided my family and friends.
...
Life is too short. We should not give up the opportunity for education, for wonderment, for positive creativity and for betterment of all people.
Imua Hawaii.
Imua TMT.
Read his full letter here:
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/…/your-views-for-sept…/
See MoreImua Hawaii.
Imua TMT.
Read his full letter here:
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/…/your-views-for-sept…/
hawaiitribune-herald.com
I read in (the Aug. 27) paper (Big Island history) that 50 years ago a quarry 12,000 feet up Maunakea was dedicated as a registered National Historic Landmark. The adz quarry was used by ancient Hawaiians to obtain basalt from which basic stone implements were hewn. The Rev. Kaipo Kuamoo blessed the...
Neil deGrasse Tyson, spoke to Joe Rogan this week on the: The Joe Rogan Experience Podcast in which they spoke about TMT and the current situation. Here's an excerpt of what was discussed:
“You know what we do as astrophysicists. We study the universe, rather passively at that. We sit at the end of a telescope where we wait for light to reach us…What we do is try to understand our place in the universe. All I’m going to say is that if you have power over what happens on that ...mountain and it’s sacred to you, because whatever [Mauna Kea] is, it is something important to you and your sense of your understanding of your place in this world, I can tell you that what we learn as astrophysicists from those mountaintops gives us a deeper understanding of who and what we are in this universe.
“You know what we do as astrophysicists. We study the universe, rather passively at that. We sit at the end of a telescope where we wait for light to reach us…What we do is try to understand our place in the universe. All I’m going to say is that if you have power over what happens on that ...mountain and it’s sacred to you, because whatever [Mauna Kea] is, it is something important to you and your sense of your understanding of your place in this world, I can tell you that what we learn as astrophysicists from those mountaintops gives us a deeper understanding of who and what we are in this universe.
“So I would say that whatever is your concept of god — be it the creator of the universe, the spirit energy that pervades all space and time, whatever is your concept — the discoveries of astrophysicists bring you closer to it.”
https://www.khon2.com/…/neil-degrasse-tyson-offers-support…/
See Morehttps://www.khon2.com/…/neil-degrasse-tyson-offers-support…/
Congratulations goes out to the Event Horizon Telescope team on winning the Breakthrough Prize (aka the Oscar awards of science)! The technology for this was developed on Maunakea. Congratulations to East Asian Observatory and the Submillimeter Observatory!
From the article:
Despite the prestigiousness of the award — JCMT support scientist Harriet Parsons called it “the Oscars of science prizes” — many of the awardees had no idea they were eligible to win until they were told... Thursday morning that they did.
From the article:
Despite the prestigiousness of the award — JCMT support scientist Harriet Parsons called it “the Oscars of science prizes” — many of the awardees had no idea they were eligible to win until they were told... Thursday morning that they did.
“What’s unusual is that, because of the decision to award the prize to everyone whose names were on any of the papers about it, only 10 of the 30 Big Island people are even astronomers,” said JCMT deputy director Jessica Dempsey. “Most of them are technicians or engineers from here or all over the world. I think that’s what makes me the proudest, the most important part, that it took all of this incredible ohana to make it work.”
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Thanks for your support John, and thanks to all our supporters out there for writing letters, posting about how you support our project, and going to the various sign waving events around the state.
From the letter:
Lee Cataluna wrongfully disparaged the thousands who think deeply, carefully and respectfully about the Thirty Meter Telescope, the mauna and Native Hawaiians, and who have made informed and engaged decisions supporting TMT (“Opinions on TMT issue don’t carry eq...ual weight”, Star-Advertiser, Aug. 21).
From the letter:
Lee Cataluna wrongfully disparaged the thousands who think deeply, carefully and respectfully about the Thirty Meter Telescope, the mauna and Native Hawaiians, and who have made informed and engaged decisions supporting TMT (“Opinions on TMT issue don’t carry eq...ual weight”, Star-Advertiser, Aug. 21).
Those of us who sincerely care about nature, science, technology and the law — as well as about Native Hawaiian concerns and spirituality — but who are not physically and spiritually on the mauna, have more than sufficient “standing” to support TMT."
Read the full letter below, subscription required:
https://www.staradvertiser.com/…/letter-tmt-supporters-hav…/
See MoreRead the full letter below, subscription required:
https://www.staradvertiser.com/…/letter-tmt-supporters-hav…/
What input did the community members give during the planning process?
- Do not build on the summit or near the pu‘u (cinder cones), which is the most sacred part of the mauna
- If you build a new telescope, take one down
- Pay a fair lease; not $1 a year...
- Education for children should be a community benefit of the project
- Do everything environmentally right, protect the natural resources
- Ensure local residents are trained for these high-tech jobs
- Follow the rules and processes, take no shortcuts
- Do not build on the summit or near the pu‘u (cinder cones), which is the most sacred part of the mauna
- If you build a new telescope, take one down
- Pay a fair lease; not $1 a year...
- Education for children should be a community benefit of the project
- Do everything environmentally right, protect the natural resources
- Ensure local residents are trained for these high-tech jobs
- Follow the rules and processes, take no shortcuts
Learn more about this and other questions on our website: https://www.maunakeaandtmt.org/facts-about-tmt/#what-has-tmt
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In this morning's Hawaii Tribune Herald, State Sen. Lorraine Inouye sent a second letter to Gov. David Ige and her legislative colleagues urging them to help find a resolution to the blockade of Maunakea Access Road. Thank you State Sen Inouye for your support.
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/…/inouye-sends-secon…/…
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/…/inouye-sends-secon…/…
#ICYMI from our friends over at University of Hawai‘i News:
UH is committed to #Maunakea as a global model that provides inspiration as well as harmonious synergy among culture, education, the environment, and scientific discovery.
UH is committed to #Maunakea as a global model that provides inspiration as well as harmonious synergy among culture, education, the environment, and scientific discovery.
-5:13
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University of Hawai‘i News
UH is committed to #Maunakea as a global model that provides inspiration as well as harmonious synergy among culture, education, the environment, and scientific discovery.
Thank you Wendy for your support. She ends her letter to the editor with:
"It is so very past the time to remove the lawbreaking protesters, open the access road and allow TMT to proceed with building a telescope that will benefit all mankind."
Read more below (subscription required)...
https://www.staradvertiser.com/…/letter-tmt-protests-refle…/
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"It is so very past the time to remove the lawbreaking protesters, open the access road and allow TMT to proceed with building a telescope that will benefit all mankind."
Read more below (subscription required)...
https://www.staradvertiser.com/…/letter-tmt-protests-refle…/
See More
Thirty Meter Telescope added a new photo to the album: Your Support.
Thanks for your support Hugo. Hugo recently reached out to us and offered his thoughts and support for TMT:
Hawaii's very existence as a home to us and our predecessors, is the result of reliance on the heavens to guide the Polynesians here, as well as to South America, and the Vikings to North America. Indeed, the Polynesians voyaging to Hawaii, depended on their Kahuna who were learned in “wayfinding” which had astronomy at its core. (An explanation of wayfinding can be fou...nd by Googling Nainoa Thompson a navigator on Hokukea.) The intertwining of the heavens and religion with astronomy exists today and is unquestionable as the resultant Hawaiian lifestyle is tied to the stars, the moon and tides, all involving astronomy as taught by the Kahuna.
Hawaii's very existence as a home to us and our predecessors, is the result of reliance on the heavens to guide the Polynesians here, as well as to South America, and the Vikings to North America. Indeed, the Polynesians voyaging to Hawaii, depended on their Kahuna who were learned in “wayfinding” which had astronomy at its core. (An explanation of wayfinding can be fou...nd by Googling Nainoa Thompson a navigator on Hokukea.) The intertwining of the heavens and religion with astronomy exists today and is unquestionable as the resultant Hawaiian lifestyle is tied to the stars, the moon and tides, all involving astronomy as taught by the Kahuna.
So given the above, why do we have a faction opposing a temple of astronomy (The TMT) on the mountain dedicated to exploration of the heavens? We are now at the stage where there is an opportunity for the descendants and successors learned in astronomy, as were the Kahunas, to explore the universe, learning the history of the heavens or exploring worlds possibly viable for voyaging and possible colonization should disasters, natural or man made, make earth untenable. Essentially , the TMT will conduct wayfinding using astronomy as the ancient Kahuna did when they sent their canoes guided by the same heavens to these Hawaiian Islands. It is not in disrespect that this observatory is waiting to be built. To the contrary, it’s a tribute to the astronomers of old who could map the heavens utilizing a handful of sticks. Rather than protesting, there should be a jubilant gathering with prayer offerings to Ke Akua (God) to accept the successors to the Kahuna, the astronomers of today. No matter the culture, we should all join hands and rejoice in the continuation of the voyagers whose knowledge of the heavens is the basis for modern astronomy. Imagine, the same Polynesian wayfinding that guides the Hokulea in its travels today, providing the basis of exploration of the heavens initially described and utilized by the Kahuna 2000 years ago. This common ground should be universally celebrated rather than be used to divide. No doubt, the Kahuna, in their wisdom, would encourage broadening the knowledge of the heavens. - Hugo von Platen Luder
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Governor Ige's September Capitol connection newsletter talks about the situation at Maunakea. Read his update, and voice your support for TMT on his facebook page and at the link provided in the comments below.
Governor David Ige
Few issues in recent memory have been more controversial for Hawai‘i than the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project. As people weigh in on all sides, I continue ...to believe that respect for Mauna Kea can be reconciled with astronomy and that Native Hawaiian culture and modern science can work together to benefit the whole community. This edition provides more perspectives on the TMT project and efforts like the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, which is setting an example for the future.
Read the September Capitol Connection newsletter: http://ow.ly/CHDZ50vVw4D
Subscribe to the monthly newsletter: http://ow.ly/jqJe50vVw4C
#CapitolConnection#HIGov#HINews
See MoreSubscribe to the monthly newsletter: http://ow.ly/jqJe50vVw4C
#CapitolConnection#HIGov#HINews
In an open letter UH Board of Regents Chair Ben Kudo says he will direct the board to ask the president of the university Hawaii to make the resolution of Maunakea his top priority. He closes his letter with:
"It is said that Maunakea is the piko or the center of Hawaiสปi Island. Let it now be the center for all of us who call Hawaiสปi home. Today, September 2, 2019, is the 181st birthday of beloved Queen Liliสปuokalani. Let us work to find what she called “the heavenly way.” Let us stop the attacks, mischaracterizations, mistruths, and move in a positive direction toward eliminating that line which divides us. Amongst the many voices, many at the university have been silent. For me, that changes today."
Read the rest of the letter below.
"It is said that Maunakea is the piko or the center of Hawaiสปi Island. Let it now be the center for all of us who call Hawaiสปi home. Today, September 2, 2019, is the 181st birthday of beloved Queen Liliสปuokalani. Let us work to find what she called “the heavenly way.” Let us stop the attacks, mischaracterizations, mistruths, and move in a positive direction toward eliminating that line which divides us. Amongst the many voices, many at the university have been silent. For me, that changes today."
Read the rest of the letter below.
Building Industry Hawaii did a Q&A with VP Squires recently, here's a screen shot from the article. Read the full Q&A on page 24 at the link below:
https://www.tradepublishing.com/…/upl…/2019/08/BI0919_LR.pdf
https://www.tradepublishing.com/…/upl…/2019/08/BI0919_LR.pdf
Thanks for your support Bill, he writes about why Maunakea is the best site for TMT as well as recalling some of the arguments that Keck faced 40 years ago in his letter to the editor in today's Hawaii Tribune-Herald opinions section. Here's an excerpt:
The champions of Arizona or California as the chosen site challenged claims by University of Hawaii and other astronomers for the excellence of Maunakea as an observatory site, despite good evidence to that end. Opponents of M...aunakea claimed insurmountable difficulties with operating at such a high altitude, including huge operating costs, serious health concerns for astronomers and technicians, and violent weather. It was claimed by some that a hurricane passing over the island would lower atmospheric pressure to the point of asphyxiation of observatory staff. And so on.
The champions of Arizona or California as the chosen site challenged claims by University of Hawaii and other astronomers for the excellence of Maunakea as an observatory site, despite good evidence to that end. Opponents of M...aunakea claimed insurmountable difficulties with operating at such a high altitude, including huge operating costs, serious health concerns for astronomers and technicians, and violent weather. It was claimed by some that a hurricane passing over the island would lower atmospheric pressure to the point of asphyxiation of observatory staff. And so on.
Most of this was self-serving nonsense, and cooler heads prevailed after the Keck Foundation contributed funding for the observatory, to be named after W.M. Keck. Astronomers — even some of those from competing states — came to see the evident advantages of siting the telescope at a site of unrivaled excellence.
The performance of the Keck telescopes and those to come after them has amply justified the decision to put the world’s largest telescopes at Maunakea, and technical arguments to put them elsewhere now seem silly (although many were probably well-meant at the time)."
Read the full letter here:
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/…/your-views-for-sept…/
See MoreThe performance of the Keck telescopes and those to come after them has amply justified the decision to put the world’s largest telescopes at Maunakea, and technical arguments to put them elsewhere now seem silly (although many were probably well-meant at the time)."
Read the full letter here:
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/…/your-views-for-sept…/
VP Gordon Squires, recently spoke with Star Advertiser about the current situation at the Mauna Kea Access Road. Here's an excerpt from the article:
“This situation that we’re in in Hawaii now is clearly about issues far beyond TMT and Mauna Kea,” he said. Many of the issues the activists raise on the mountain are vast, complex and historical, including Hawaiian sovereignty and self- governance, preservation of Hawaiian language and culture, and environmental protection.
The ...TMT project has become a catalyst for those much bigger issues “to come to the surface and potentially be addressed, hopefully this time successfully,” Squires said. Those issues have now become the focus of community discussions including Hawaiian community leaders, Ige and Kim, he said.
“This situation that we’re in in Hawaii now is clearly about issues far beyond TMT and Mauna Kea,” he said. Many of the issues the activists raise on the mountain are vast, complex and historical, including Hawaiian sovereignty and self- governance, preservation of Hawaiian language and culture, and environmental protection.
The ...TMT project has become a catalyst for those much bigger issues “to come to the surface and potentially be addressed, hopefully this time successfully,” Squires said. Those issues have now become the focus of community discussions including Hawaiian community leaders, Ige and Kim, he said.
“I don’t see the resolution of the current situation being simply opening that road and reestablishing access to Mauna Kea,” Squires said. “There’s a bigger component that has to be part of this.”
When asked if the larger issues raised by the protesters could possibly be resolved in time to clear the way for TMT, Squires replied that perhaps the prospect of losing a project as important as TMT will help “leadership to emerge and for people to come together to address these fundamental issues.”
“I think this is a situation that has triggered something that is almost unprecedented in Hawaii. I think that’s a fair statement, and so that’s a good thing, and maybe that now gives the impetus for leaders from everywhere to come together and address some things,” Squires said.
Read the full article here, subscription required: https://www.staradvertiser.com/…/arrests-clearing-road-ma…/…
See MoreWhen asked if the larger issues raised by the protesters could possibly be resolved in time to clear the way for TMT, Squires replied that perhaps the prospect of losing a project as important as TMT will help “leadership to emerge and for people to come together to address these fundamental issues.”
“I think this is a situation that has triggered something that is almost unprecedented in Hawaii. I think that’s a fair statement, and so that’s a good thing, and maybe that now gives the impetus for leaders from everywhere to come together and address some things,” Squires said.
Read the full article here, subscription required: https://www.staradvertiser.com/…/arrests-clearing-road-ma…/…
We spot some familiar faces. ๐
Mahalo Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce for your support. From the article:
We place our trust in government with an expectation that the rule of law will be enforced. For the existing astronomy industry on Maunakea, normal operations must resume and people must be assured safe access on public roads to their place of work. For the Thirty Meter Telescope, we expect the State of Hawaii and County of Hawaii to provide safe passage for permitted construction to begin.
We must ens...ure the development of TMT and the continuation of the astronomy industry on Maunakea. Losing TMT would be more than the loss of a major Hawaii telescope, it would be the loss of opportunity for Hawaii’s future generations. It’s in the State of Hawaii and County of Hawaii’s best interest to continue to support TMT and the entire astronomy sector in Hawaii.
We place our trust in government with an expectation that the rule of law will be enforced. For the existing astronomy industry on Maunakea, normal operations must resume and people must be assured safe access on public roads to their place of work. For the Thirty Meter Telescope, we expect the State of Hawaii and County of Hawaii to provide safe passage for permitted construction to begin.
We must ens...ure the development of TMT and the continuation of the astronomy industry on Maunakea. Losing TMT would be more than the loss of a major Hawaii telescope, it would be the loss of opportunity for Hawaii’s future generations. It’s in the State of Hawaii and County of Hawaii’s best interest to continue to support TMT and the entire astronomy sector in Hawaii.
Hawaii’s astronomy sector provides needed economic diversity with a statewide impact of $167 million. Astronomy activities generate over $52 million in earnings, over $8 million in state taxes and 1,400 jobs statewide. During the construction phase, TMT will create 300 local and specialized construction jobs and once the telescope is complete, employ 140 staff. TMT’s commitment is to fill these positions with as many Hawaii residents as possible and use local businesses for support services.
Read the full letter here in West Hawaii Today:
https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/…/my-turn-kona-kohala-cham…/
See MoreRead the full letter here in West Hawaii Today:
https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/…/my-turn-kona-kohala-cham…/
The Department of the Attorney General (AG), Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), and Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a joint statement regarding the control and jurisdiction of Mauna Kea Access Road. Here's an excerpt from the article:
"HDOT does not permit long-term parking along any of its high-speed facilities. The only other roads in the State of Hawai‘i with the same speed limit as Daniel K. Inouye Highway (formerly Saddle Road) are the H-1 Freeway betwee...n Kapolei and Kunia and the H-3 Freeway between Halawa and the Harano Tunnels, both on O‘ahu.
"HDOT does not permit long-term parking along any of its high-speed facilities. The only other roads in the State of Hawai‘i with the same speed limit as Daniel K. Inouye Highway (formerly Saddle Road) are the H-1 Freeway betwee...n Kapolei and Kunia and the H-3 Freeway between Halawa and the Harano Tunnels, both on O‘ahu.
Mauna Kea Access Road is under the control and jurisdiction of DOT. Pursuant to HRS § 26-19 and HRS Ch. 264, HDOT has control and jurisdiction over all state highways and Mauna Kea Access Road is designated to DOT’s State Highway System as Route 210. This includes any portions of the road that cross over DHHL land
The Department of the Attorney General (AG), Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), and Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a joint statement regarding Mauna Kea Access Road.
“State DOT has controlled and maintained Mauna Kea Access Road since it became part of our highways system in 2018,” said DOT Deputy Director Ed Sniffen. “Prior to that time, sections of the road situated on Hawaiian home lands were maintained by the County of Hawai‘i pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DHHL and the County of Hawai‘i.”"
Read the full article below:
https://bigislandnow.com/…/hdot-attorney-gen-update-status…/
See MoreThe Department of the Attorney General (AG), Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), and Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a joint statement regarding Mauna Kea Access Road.
“State DOT has controlled and maintained Mauna Kea Access Road since it became part of our highways system in 2018,” said DOT Deputy Director Ed Sniffen. “Prior to that time, sections of the road situated on Hawaiian home lands were maintained by the County of Hawai‘i pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DHHL and the County of Hawai‘i.”"
Read the full article below:
https://bigislandnow.com/…/hdot-attorney-gen-update-status…/
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