Everybody will benefit from the Thirty Meter Telescope, especially Native Hawaiians. Hawaii will become the epicenter for studies of the universe. Our economy will get an economic infusion of $2 billion.

Hawaiians exploited the resources of the mountain in the past, so there is precedent for doing the same thing today. There are historical records about the alii nui harvesting stone to make adzes. They harvested sandalwood trees and sold them to Chinese furniture companies. They operated a cattle ranch. The evidence of these enterprises is still visible, but the telescope will be demolished in 50 years.

Losing this project will be a financial catastrophe and our reputation as a place to do business will be severely damaged.

Gov. David Ige can do everyone in the state a great service by bringing the Hawaiian groups together to mediate a solution. That is the Hawaiian way. That would be pono.

Jim Growney

Ala Moana

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