As we pass a month since the blocking of access to Mauna Kea, it’s important that we reflect and take a look at what’s really going on here: blatant disrespect by our very own governor. He didn’t miss a beat when he attempted to make Hawaii a sanctuary state to take in displaced refugees. How could he be so quick to fight for refugees but not the people of Hawaii?

We want to believe that the leader of our state wouldn’t ignore the voices of the local people. We’ve made excuses for him by saying things like, “He’s lost control of the situation.”

Quite the contrary. Gov. David Ige has deliberately chosen to turn his back on the Native Hawaiian people and culture. We want to believe that he was misinformed or misled. Not the case. Ige chose to create pro-Thirty Meter Telescope propaganda in an attempt to turn Hawaiians against each other. Let us not be deceived by the lion in sheep’s clothing.

The sooner we come to the realization that this was an attack on the Hawaiian people and culture, the sooner we will find resolution.

Ryan Naka

Wilhelmina Rise

Click here to read more Letters to the Editor.