On Monday Aug. 28, 2017 Interfaith Communities in Action held a “Faith Voices For Justice” sign holding vigil on Bayfront in Hilo.  It was in response to voices of white supremacy, racial injustice in Charlottesville, Virginia and elsewhere. The vigil was attended by about 50-75 people of different Faiths.   I attended the vigil with a sign “Aloha Not Hate” and offered the leaflet below to other participants to support Mauna Kea protectors.

Jim Albertini

An Invitation to

“Faith Voices for Justice”

     It is an honor to stand with you today here in Hilo “to advocate for justice for all people” and “ repudiate the voices of race supremacy and segregation.” It is important that Faith Voices stand in public witness “for justice throughout the land.”

     In this spirit, I would like to extend to you an invitation to join a Vigil for Justice on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017 from 7:30 -9AM on Banyan Drive fronting the Naniloa Hotel in support of Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) seeking to protect their most sacred mountain –- Mauna Kea –Mauna a Wakea. At 9AM on that day, Kanaka Maoli will be appealing to the Board of Land & Natural Resources to deny a permit for the 18 story Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) atop Mauna Kea, the fourteenth telescope to be built in the sacred summit area and the tallest building on the island.

“Mauna Kea is sacred to the Native Hawaiians and is the zenith of their ancestral ties to creation.   The upper regions, Wao Akua, are the realms of the Akua (creator) and the summit is a temple of the Supreme Being in not only Hawaiian culture but also in many histories throughout Polynesia.  It is the home of Na Akua (divine deities) and Na’Aumakua (divine ancestors) as well as the meeting place of Papa (Earth Mother) and Wakea (Sky Father) who are progenitors of the Hawaiian people.  It is also both a burial ground and the embodiment of ancestors that include Na Alii and Kahuna (high ranking chiefs and priests.)  Modern Native Hawaiians continue to regard Mauna Kea with reverence and many cultural and religious practices are still performed there.  In addition to sacred importance the summit is also home to near a hundred archaeological sites and many traditional cultural properties eligible to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. “

http://sites.coloradocollege.edu/indigenoustraditions/sacred-lands/sacred-lands-mauna-kea/

     Faith Voices standing in public witness for justice throughout the land should not ignore the Faith Voice of Hawaii’s host people, the Kanaka Maoli, seeking to protect their most sacred site in all Hawaii. They are simply saying Respect the Sacred. Sacred is sacred. TMT is too many telescopes dominating sacred Mauna a Wakea.

Mahalo for your consideration and solidarity,

Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box 489 Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760 Phone (808) 966-7622. Email: ja@malu-aina.org

For a deeper look at U.S. racism in Hawaii, please see “From Charlottesville to Mauna Kea” http://malu-aina.org/?p=4856

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