Considering the article, “Faculty, staff urge UH to reject plans for TMT” (Star-Advertiser, Dec. 6), a reader might conclude that most University of Hawaii faculty oppose the Thirty Meter Telescope project.

This is far from true. Faculty present at the demonstration were from the Ethnic Studies, Political Science, and Hawaiian Studies departments. Most of the students were probably from these departments also. There were probably no (or few) science, math, business, English, computer science, engineering, medical school or nursing faculty or students present.

The faculty in these departments are too busy preparing their students for meaningful, well-paying jobs. What is the pay for standing on a street corner holding a protest sign?

UH leaders should conduct an online survey asking all faculty if they support the TMT. The protesters would probably object to the survey because they would have to face facts. By the way, could the protesters please define the criteria needed for something to be declared “sacred”?

Don Voyce

Aina Haina

Click here to read more Letters to the Editor.