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Public meetings on Hawaii Island for TMT environmental review. Join & Speak OUT

Published by jalbertini on August 10th, 2022 in Climate Change, Hawaii Independence, Pohakuloa, Public Events, Radiation, Sacred Mauna Kea, Social Justice, Take Action!.

The National Science Foundation will host four in­person public scoping meetings on Hawaii island from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday – Friday:

>> Tuesday, Aug. 9th: Grand Naniloa Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Crown Room, 93 Banyan Drive, Hilo

>> Wednesday, Aug. 10th: Naalehu Community Center, 95-5635 Hawaii Belt Road, Naalehu

>> Thursday, Aug. 11th: Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, Kaleiopapa Convention Center, 78-128 Ehukai St., Kailua-­Kona

>> Friday, Aug. 12th: Kahilu Town Hall, 67-1182 Lindsey Road, Kamuela

If you can’t attend the meetings, submit testimony through the NSA website on TMT here https://beta.nsf.gov/funding/environmental-compliance/thirty-meter-telescope?fbclid=IwAR08hSeEIj22L7hiHSRHgK0832sHaj7ltDIlXtftZbGTKYhbVg_vrJbA4U4

 
Video of Hilo NSF hearing testimony by Mililani Trask
 
In Hilo, oral testimony was limited to 2 minutes.  The meeting, scheduled from 6-8 PM went on till 10 PM when it was cut off.  There were still many people signed up to speak that never got a chance.  Hundreds attended.  In the 4 hours, only 1 person spoke in favor of TMT — Richard Ha.
 
Below is my 2 min. oral testimony.  I submitted a longer written testimony.
 

August 9, 2022, Oral testimony by Jim Albertini in Hilo

National Science Foundation public scoping meeting on possibly funding $800 million for TMT (Thirty Meter Telescope) in the summit area of Mauna Kea

Aloha kakou,

My name is Jim Albertini. I am with the organization, Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action.

An important scoping question for the NSF regarding TMT is this:  Would the world be in a different and better position today if it paid more attention to the wisdom of indigenous people, including the Kanaka Maoli?  Kanaka Maoli wisdom says to respect and protect the sacred. Stay close to the earth. Kapu Aloha (nonviolence) must always be our guiding light.

Western “so-called” wisdom says the earth, like everything and everyone on it, is a commodity to be bought and sold.  It says there is no problem with 13 telescopes on a sacred mountain in a conservation zone.  Add a 14th – 18 stories tall.  No problem.   It’s like an alcoholic saying 1 more drink for the road won’t hurt anyone! This “so-called” western wisdom has put the world on the path to unparalleled catastrophe – the brink of nuclear war and climate disaster is now right before our eyes.

I have a confession of sorts to make. In 1969, fifty three years ago, the year before I started teaching school in Kaneohe on Oahu, I was a National Science Foundation grantee in graduate school at Bucknell University. Since then, I have tried to make some amends. I have been arrested numerous times in nonviolent efforts for peace, justice and protecting the environment.

In 2015, I was one of many arrested on the Mauna to stop the desecration of Mauna Kea by TMT. In 2019, I was arrested again in a group of 38 kupuna/elders on the Mauna Kea access road.  If there are future arrests to protect the Mauna, my hope is the Hawaiian people will not have to again carry the burden. It is time for more non-Hawaiians to step up and stand in solidarity with Hawaiians in gratitude for learning what is important in life and for the future of the earth.  NO TMT.  Now and in the future. Protect the Sacred –Always!

— 
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

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