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It is a remarkable statement as to the quality of education in this country that sitting members of Congress and the state government are in favor of the Native Hawaiian splinter group’s position on Mauna Kea. How are such positions not in favor of establishing a religion in the state of Hawaii?
The Hawaii State Constitution states, “No law shall be enacted respecting an establishment of religion …”
This parrots the U.S. Constitution: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion …”
So how is a splinter group’s interpretation of the Hawaiian religion concerning by whom and how Mauna Kea is to be used not an establishment of religion?
If they can declare Mauna Kea as a place they can control, what would prevent them for doing so on any other site they proclaim of religious significance?
Andrew Rothstein
Chinatown
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