I am a Native Hawaiian who believes that allowing the Thirty Meter Telescope to be built on Maunakea would be Hawaii’s gift to humanity.

It will enable scientists to unravel the deepest mysteries of the universe: Are there planets that can sustain life, are there other beings out there and are they friend or foe? How did the universe and life itself evolve after the Big Bang? Where are the asteroids that might harm Earth?

Our half-Hawaiian grandmother taught us that aloha is thinking beyond the needs of the little self and considering the greater good. There were no borders, no barriers in her heart — she was kind to visitors and locals alike.

How can we deprive the youth of Hawaii of opportunity and humanity, with the best possible location for this marvel of science, and still call ourselves the people of aloha? It will be Hawaii’s honor to have TMT here.

Leilani Young

Waikiki

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