‘Shared values’
“We are all Migrants” is the title of an article in National Geographic magazine (August 2019) written by Mohsin Hamid.
“Ours is a migratory species. Humans have always moved. …We are told not only that movement through geographies can be stopped but that movement through time can be too, that we can return to the past, to a better past, when our country, our race, our religion was great. All we must accept is division. The division of humanity into natives and migrants.”
This article was not written about the protesters/protectors of Maunakea
But, I hope that they can recognize the truth of these words in their own actions that seek to divide us into those against or those in support of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Instead, we need to look for shared cultural values/beliefs.
Maunakea is special to all of us — it’s not them against us.
Those supporting shared values should consider joining the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center where Hawaiian and astronomy communities are brought together. Or, consider joining Friends of Hakalau to help plant native tree species along the slopes of Maunakea to support native bird populations.
Let’s all work together. Remember, we are all migrants.
Susan Miyasaka
Hilo
Impeding progress
I’ve been trying hard not to think much about the TMT controversy for a while now. The Hilo “flag wars” seem to be subsiding, but I just saw comments by Mayor Harry Kim indicating his now “neutrality” on the conflict and that there are many laws he doesn’t like.
He then went on to suggest that the funding consortium for TMT might feel pressured to move construction to Spain after all. Not sure I can blame them, with the obscene anti-TMT stuff floating about.
I really think it is time to look at this a different way. Basically, there are a number of “cultural practices” of indigenous or native peoples around the world that are now uniformly disparaged and condemned by society as a whole. I would refer you to Joseph Campbell’s “Power of Myth,” series if you need examples.
I believe impeding human creativity, innovation and progress is not a good cultural practice, legal or illegal.
Apparently, no one knows or will hazard a guess when the next decisions will be made, and, according to the Maunakea occupiers, they are still talking (about what, I cannot imagine).
I don’t think the cultural practices of the occupiers are necessarily bad or good. I really don’t know much about them. I just think that ultimately decisions by a democratic society can leave them secondary to more important issues for the good of humanity.
Please, let us go back up on our mountain.
Michael Perdue
Hilo
Hypocrisy much?
There were more arrests (last) week on Oahu of protesters trying to stop a wind farm from being built.
Oahu doesn’t seem to tolerate these protesters, yet Hawaii County officials and Gov. David Ige are perfectly content to allow a “tent city” to remain on Maunakea for the past four months. Auwe!
Last time I checked, the Big Island is part of the state of Hawaii. It would be nice if government stopped treating us like second-class citizens who don’t live under the same “rule of law.”
A. Yamamoto
Hilo