Lee Cataluna wrongfully disparaged the thousands who think deeply, carefully and respectfully about the Thirty Meter Telescope, the mauna and Native Hawaiians, and who have made informed and engaged decisions supporting TMT (“Opinions on TMT issue don’t carry equal weight”, Star-Advertiser, Aug. 21).

Those of us who sincerely care about nature, science, technology and the law — as well as about Native Hawaiian concerns and spirituality — but who are not physically and spiritually on the mauna, have more than sufficient “standing” to support TMT.

TMT supporters are not “passive.” We — on behalf of us, our keiki and the world — have a real stake in the outcome. We have “answered yes to phone polls” and we have made objective and thoughtful decisions to support TMT.

We may be sitting at home, but simply because we are not on the mauna and not breathing thin air, does not mean that we count less than those who are.

John Hoshibata

Mililani

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