Beneath the often obscure wrangling were a number of basic questions, including the following: Is U.H. following the rules? Is astronomy above the law? Whose mountain is it? How should Mauna Kea be managed? Can the White Mountain be shared by people with such conflicting intentions? What compromises might be possible? Is the university being used by corporations and government agencies? What are reasonable limits to growth?
"Mauna Kea is the beginning of our existence as a people," testified Pualani Kanahele. The kumu hula, named one of "Hawaii's Living Treasures," was called as an expert cultural witness. "As long as Mauna Kea is there, we have life and health on this land," asserted the respected Hawai'i Community College professor, one of nearly two dozen witnesses, in one of the hearing's climactic moments. Kanahele lamented that Hawaiian children today draw the mountain with telescopes on it, rather than in its natural state, thus being confused about their origins as a people.
"Mauna Kea is like a parent. Once it is gone, it is gone," Kanahele sadly added in her pained testimony. Kanahele is a member of the advisory committee that the U.H. Institute for Astronomy (IFA) convened to consult on cultural practices. But she testified that her group has not even been adequately informed: "We were not aware of a lot of what was going on up there. We have been shocked that things are moving along without our being aware." Kanahele concluded her testimony with a strong statement against the presence of the observatory on the mountain.
"Mauna Kea is the beginning of our existence as a people," testified Pualani Kanahele. The kumu hula, named one of "Hawaii's Living Treasures," was called as an expert cultural witness. "As long as Mauna Kea is there, we have life and health on this land," asserted the respected Hawai'i Community College professor, one of nearly two dozen witnesses, in one of the hearing's climactic moments. Kanahele lamented that Hawaiian children today draw the mountain with telescopes on it, rather than in its natural state, thus being confused about their origins as a people.
"Mauna Kea is like a parent. Once it is gone, it is gone," Kanahele sadly added in her pained testimony. Kanahele is a member of the advisory committee that the U.H. Institute for Astronomy (IFA) convened to consult on cultural practices. But she testified that her group has not even been adequately informed: "We were not aware of a lot of what was going on up there. We have been shocked that things are moving along without our being aware." Kanahele concluded her testimony with a strong statement against the presence of the observatory on the mountain.