The ancient Hawaiians were for centuries the greatest navigators in the world due to their knowledge of the stars and constellations. While other sailors were hugging the coastline and congratulating themselves for crossing the Mediterranean, the ancient Hawaiians were crisscrossing the planet’s largest ocean by the stars.

I can think of no better way to honor them other than to have the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. I can even envision them endorsing the TMT for the continuation of celestial knowledge.

The TMT is bigger than the Big Island. It is bigger than the state of Hawaii. It is bigger than the U.S. — it as a tool for the world. We should embrace the TMT here in the islands as a way to honor our ancient Hawaiians by furthering their study of the stars.

Ronald Parslow

Mililani

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