When the controversy of TMT first came out, I was pro-TMT. I didn’t understand how deeply the controversy ran, and frankly, figured that there were tons of stuff that we should be worrying about instead of it.

I revisited my initial opinion about it… And a lot of those points still stand. What I've realized is that I looked at all of it wrong. Many of the problems I originally outlined continue to persist. It isn't that people don't care, it's because we've been fatigued by fighting against the status quo that it looks like complacency. Protecting Mauna Kea is a big deal. It's the culmination of a conflict that has been quietly brewing in the background.

We’ve been working with people who simply don't care.

TMT, the Ala Wai, the homelessness, the rising cost of living… These are all symptoms of a larger problem. The people who are in charge of making decisions have consistently placed Hawaii and its citizens’ welfare secondary to outside interests. I'm all for compromise and working together… Yet what I've seen from these people is a severe lack of concern towards its people. Not only to the protectors of Mauna Kea, but the homeless communities, and the people who've left the islands because of the insane expenses here. These decision makers are looking to make a profit where each of us bears the cost.

These “leaders” have consistently shown that they're not good stewards of the land and never have been.

This behavior has existed since the plantation days, and continues to persist in different forms. The forms today include “affordable” high-rises, rail, and continued gentrification without regard to the islands’ resources. It caters to those who don't have a deep and continued interested in seeing Hawaii thrive. I watched someone at an unrelated Q&A, ask his company's leaders about what's being done to honor the land. What are we doing to recognize the people who've preceded us? What are we doing to honor their relationship to the land? They handled it much better than Governor Ige.

The histories of indigenous and minority cultures have been systematically erased at various points in world history. I've seen few examples where leaders choose to recognize past atrocities and instead, continue to ignore and erase previous histories. We’re taught to believe that science and technology is the only way to go… But I don't believe that's true. There's so much about the natural world we don't know and understand. To insist that one way is wholly and inarguably better, is wrong.

I've since changed my stance on TMT. I don't think we should build it. I don't think we should move forward with anything until the state and its decision makers prove to be good stewards of the land. They should tangibly demonstrate their commitment to Hawaii and its people. They haven't, not yet. Hawaii has been more than generous and accomodating, yet these “leaders” have shown that they're willing to take until there's nothing left for anyone. Building another telescope on Mauna Kea is assertion of dominance by an outside interest. Again.

TMT wants create a community with the telescope, but one already exists. This community’s wealth isn’t measured in millions of dollars and IQs and degrees. It’s measured in the relationships of its people, the stories they share, and the deep respect they have for the land. I do believe culture and science and community and technology can coexist. However, it won't be done if these decision makers continue to ignore the Hawaiian people. They can try, but they can't erase them. There's no nice way to say it—It's disrespectful.

TMT can leave. Or it can choose to adapt in a way that honors Hawaii and work with its people to bring culture and science forward… As one. It's time for our “leaders” and outside interests to authentically invest in Hawaii and its future. Until then, no to TMT from me.