E ala e. Awake. Rise.

We have been called, collectively, to awaken now, knowing truths that have come to light about the mo‘olelo, the history and stories behind the Thirty Meter Telescope. The stakes are high. No more false narratives or false choices. We need to make corrections about the larger issues facing us all. Do we reverence Papa Honua, Mother Earth, or continue to desecrate her with yet another empty promise?

Have all of the issues and concerns over stewardship been met? No. Have the powers that be listened to the wise counsel of our po‘e Hawai‘i and our elders? No. Do we need another construction upon our sacred mountain? No.

We must all be for the land, for our beloved Mauna a Wakea, and for supporting the voices of our kia‘i — protectors who stand for many of us in loving and protecting Papa Honua, Mother Earth. We must all be aloha ‘aina, lovers of the land — not just Hawaiian land, but all lands and oceans, as we begin the hard work of bringing humanity back from the manmade precipice we’ve created, that is heading us towards total extinction. E ala e!

Meleanna Aluli Meyer

Makiki

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