Benefits of TMT
Here is my response to Tomas Belsky’s question to the proponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope asking what benefit do we get from the TMT (Your Views, Dec. 15).
Fueled by man’s insatiable quest for knowledge, the TMT will help to answer questions about theories developed by great minds such as Albert Einstein.
Many of these theories were proposed in the early part of the last century and only now are being proved. Even the older existing telescopes on Maunakea are still providing valuable experiments and data that help us understand our universe and the physics that control our lives. The efforts are collaborative, which also helps to bring cooperation and understanding among diverse nations and cultures.
Much like the space program of the ’60s, these scientific endeavors develop technologies that filter down, improving our everyday lives.
Space telescopes will not make the TMT obsolete. Logistics make an Earth-based telescope more practical for many reasons, and the technology of adapted optics has improved their capabilities immensely. Cost plays a big role, as well.
The real question should be, why would anyone oppose the TMT?
Don Rudny
Pepeekeo
Bottled water
It’s hard to keep up with all the good news and bad news these days. I have to say, my heart sank … when I saw Hilo is considering a water bottling plant in our community.
I am well aware that with all the talk these days about environmental concerns and “malama the aina,” many lovely, well-intentioned people still buy water in plastic bottles. Everyone should be required to see the documentary “Tapped” about bottled water.
I hoped and believed that as a country, we are very close to outlawing bottled water, period, and considerably minimizing the production of plastic overall in the world.
At the very least, everyone should own a couple of reusable water bottles and make the effort to use a Brita or Berkey filter, or buy the 5-gallon bottles from some delivery company. This simple effort will not only save our environment, it will save you money.
Perhaps someday our government or local businesses and corporate businesses will offer bottle-filling stations, such as we see in airports nowadays.
Thank you, everybody, for trying to do your best on this matter. I believe it is something we can all get behind.
I heard a statement awhile back; please don’t make it true: “Americans’ greatest fear is not terrorism, war or poverty, but lack of convenience.”
Let’s honor ourselves, our Earth, future generations and Hokule‘a’s voyage to promote sustainability and justice for all.
Ellen Schomer
Hilo
