Freedom to build ADVERTISING Freedom to build People have the freedom to protest. People have the freedom to ascend Mauna Kea. And people have the freedom to build the Thirty Meter Telescope – all under the watchful eye of the
Freedom to build
People have the freedom to protest. People have the freedom to ascend Mauna Kea. And people have the freedom to build the Thirty Meter Telescope – all under the watchful eye of the law.
If the law is not serving the people well, people have the freedom to change it. Why are these simple concepts so hard to grasp by all the smart people out there?
Fred Fogel
Volcano
More than a dollar
Do the Mauna Kea guest observatories pay enough rent?
In Gov. Ige’s plan, presented on May 26 for improving Mauna Kea management, he requested that the University of Hawaii “revisit the issue of payments by the existing telescope now as well as requiring it in the new lease.” It seems obvious that the intent was to increase the observatory contributions to the state.
The Thirty Meter Telescope protesters have been claiming the telescopes were getting a free ride because the subleases only require paying $1 a year. It is true the subleases only specify $1 per year, but the value of observing time specified in the rest of the agreements cannot be ignored.
My understanding of these agreements is that the objective was to balance the value of the site provided to the telescope with the value of observing time provided to the UH.
In order to quantify that information for myself, the interested public, protesters, and the governor, who may not be fully aware, I have estimated the value of the observing time for each telescope. My estimates are based on public information and my experience in managing many scientific projects, including large telescopes.
Ten of the 13 current telescopes are included in my estimate. Of the remaining three telescopes, two are owned and operated by UH (2.2 meter and 36 inch). The third is the Very Long Baseline Array antenna, which is not used by UH.
The total cost of time allocated to UH by these 10 institutions is approximately $13 million per year.
TMT will allocate observing time valued at $4.35 million per year (when completed).
TMT will also pay an additional $2 million per year for educational and management support.
That is not exactly a dollar a year.
Jerry Smith
North Kohala
Return car, please
Will the person who stole my 17-year-old granddaughter’s white 2003 Volkswagen Beetle (license NDS513) please return it?
Do everyone a big favor and park it by Lincoln Park so we can “take back the park,” as well as her car!
Nina Bremer
Keaau
