Brief report on Hilo hearing about Univ. of Hawaii Mauna Kea Administrative rules.
Tuesday, June 4th, 2019Aloha kakou,
Here is a brief report on the Tuesday, June 4, 2019 Public Hearing on University of Hawaii Mauna Kea Administrative Rules held at Waiakea Elementary School in Hilo, Hawaii 5:30-7:30PM
A crowd of more than 100 attended the hearing. More than 30 people spoke. All except one person spoke in strong opposition to the proposed rules. The person in support was Mary Begier whose photo was in today’s Hawaii Tribune Herald. She was given an award by the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce recognizing her work as an advocate for Business & Industry interests in Hawaii.
Those speaking in opposition to the rules represented a broad cross section of the community – -bicyclist, hikers, environmentalists, and many Hawaiian cultural and religious practitioners. Only 1 member of the 15 member University Board of Regents was present. The University President, David Lassner was a no show, despite being the ultimate power behind the proposed repressive rules designed to criminalize efforts to protect Sacred Mauna Kea from further desecration by industrial astronomy development.
The hearing was video taped by several members of the community and a few members of the media were present so I trust more info will be available in days to come. Hearings will also be held on Wednesday, June 5th at Waikoloa Elementart & Middle School 5:30-730PM and on Maui Friday June 7, 2019 at Pomaikai Elementary School 5:30-7:30PM. No hearings are being held on Molokai, Lanai or Kauai. And no explanation was given why no hearings there. A hearing was held on Monday, June 3rd on Oahu at Manoa Elementary School.
http://hawaii.edu/offices/bor/adminrules/chapter26-proposed1.pdf
The environmental group KAHEA has provided sample testimonies
Thank you for accepting comments today. I am opposed to the proposed Administrative Rules. Criminal …. Meaning “relating to a crime” These proposed rules appear to criminalize customary and traditional practices of Native Hawaiians. In order to preserve the moral authority of our legal system you should be extremely mindful, exceptionally careful and highly AWARE before enacting any laws, regulations or Administrative rules that can cause an individual to be unfairly branded as a criminal. Arbitrary rules for prosecuting “made-up or pretend” offenses such as camping or hiking on puʻu or introducing materials from outside the management areas (which can be easily misinterpreted by Security forces) and initiating arbitrary punishment for those would-be offenses is a serious erosion of individual liberties. No one should be exposed to potential criminal liability for engaging in routine activities, practices or ceremonies. We all have the responsibility to protect and preserve Mauna Kea and its fragile ecosystem for future generations. The most critical, extensive, and immediate danger to Mauna Kea however, remains the construction of the massive TMT telescope and the priority given to astronomical development at the expense of Mauna Kea’s natural ecosystem and invaluable cultural resources.
Jim Albertini Malu ‘Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown) Hawai’i 96760 Phone 808-966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org Visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org
