Opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope construction are basing their case on the sacredness of Mauna Kea, but sacredness was not an issue when they were building telescopes there in the past. What makes it an issue now?

Moreover, using sacredness by a false religion as justification for any action is wrong (King Kamehameha II abolished Hawaii’s cultural religion in 1819).

As a Native Hawaiian kupuna, I am hoping the Office of Hawaiian Affairs would come out in support of the Hawaiian majority who are in favor of constructing the TMT on Mauna Kea. In doing so, OHA would be able to get the attention of our Hawaiian natives as to the positive effects of the TMT and the important role Mauna Kea will play in making it possible.

Furthermore, since the TMT will be replacing five telescopes already there, it makes a lot of sense to support its construction.

Bill Punini Prescott

Nanakuli

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