NO SHOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH

“The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo's (UHH) Department of Physics and Astronomy is seeking a location for its new educational telescope to replace the one that was housed in its Maunakea Summit observatory. This new telescope is used by students for training in modern astronomical observing techniques, developing skills in scientific research, as well as for communicating science to the general public. The current observatory facility on the summit of Maunakea – named Hōkūke‘a – is being decommissioned. The non-functional telescope at Hōkūke‘a was removed from the summit in 2018 and UHH aspires to install a new educational telescope at Halepōhaku.”

What was your first feeling when you read this? What was your very first reaction and where did you feel it in your body?

This is what I felt. I felt like I was going to throw up. I felt exhaustion rush over my body because I knew what would come next. My na’au turned and I had to take deep breaths until I felt steady again. I felt transgressed yet again because we still haven’t been heard by this settler governing system and settler institution of education that both support the TMT like they should be supporting their community and earth.

After 10 years of standing in the court system and on the Mauna, after thousands of people marched down the streets of Hawai‘i, three long frontlines, countless arrests and testimonies, massive sacrifices - UHH has the AUDACITY to propose yet another project under the guise of ‘decommissioning’ and the pursuit of ‘exploration’ in the name of science. It literally makes me sick to my stomach.

When we said no more building on Mauna Kea, no more breaking and ripping the ground, no more transgressions on to our most sacred place in Hawai‘inuiākea - we meant it.

Do you know what it takes to protect land you come from? It takes everything and can break your heart everyday.

NO SHOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH.

UHH and TMT, you do NOT have CONSENT. Collect yourselves, you look messy already.

I’m exhausted today to the core of my cells but best believe I will be writing this testimony and sending it in tomorrow.

Kū Kia‘i Mauna.
Period.