The sky is not going to fall if TMT is not here
The future of science for Hawaii will not perish if the Thirty Meter Telescope is built in Chile. The author of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald article “Compromising the Future,” in May 10 resorts to “Chicken Little” logic to foster anxiety about the future of all science in Hawaii.
As a scientist with a 25-year tenure at the University of California, I regard science as a tool and not a commodity.
In Hawaii for 15 years, we are doing science, as are hundreds of others. We will continue to do science relevant to Hawaii and continue to engage students and the community as we did last week in our Kona land to ocean research. There is an immediate and dire need to apply well-funded science for the sustainability of our islands.
This may sound familiar. About 30 years ago, the University of California-Davis Campus was vying to host the proposed $4.4 billion dollar Superconducting Super Collider (SSC). The world’s largest cyclotron was to be 54 miles in circumference, underground, in Yolo County; the best farmland in California. The family farms in the region have roots that go back well over a 100 years. The farm families were neither ignorant nor reactionary, but they said “not here.” As staff, we were instructed to promote SSC and extol the economic boon and how it would advance all science especially particle physics.
The promotional material spoke of discovering the “God Particle” and the creation of matter. No doubt, this did not sit well with the more conservative people of faith in Yolo County. Most of the academic staff refused take our science hats off and become SSC “barkers” for the government and the university. We listened to how the older farmers revered the land. It was clear the concept of the SSC was dichotomous to their beliefs. It was obvious some of the farmers were spiritually connected to the land. How could we not honor such ethic?
For the opposition and concerns, California lost the bid for the SSC. Texas and congressional speaker, Jim Wright prevailed. Two billion dollars was spent on construction. When it appeared that the cost would be $12 billion and benefits to science could be attained far cheaper, President Bill Clinton and Congress pulled the plug on the SSC in 1993. Audits revealed the scientists had promised what they could not deliver.
In spite of it all, science thrives today at UC-Davis and the University of Texas. The future of science was anything but compromised there or anywhere.
Rick Bennett
Honaunau
Trip to Mauna Kea disappointing
On a recent night visit to the Mauna Kea Visitor Center I was baffled by the lack of aloha from the TMT protesters.
Some of us enjoy the location for stargazing, astronomy, night photography or for the simple quiet beauty and peacefulness that the mountain provides.
Instead, we found a parking lot occupied by overnight protesters, a makeshift tent lit up like a Walmart Christmas tree, and most annoying of all, a noisy generator hum that could be heard a half-mile up and down the road.
It would be considerate to others to move a few paces away from the visitor center. We ended up packing our belongings, cameras, telescopes and left to find another place away from the noise and light pollution created by the demonstrators.
The Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station is a safe and convenient place for many of us to enjoy activities that are unique to the area.
Protesters should respect the thought that not everyone shares the same ideas or convictions.
I. De Groote
Waikoloa
Handbag gift is no big deal
I think West Hawaii Today is wasting way too much time on the $130 designer bag gifted to Judge Margaret Masunaga. While history has proven judges can be influenced, does anyone seriously think a $130 designer bag could influence anyone?
Judge Masunaga has been a well respected attorney in her business community, and a long standing member of the West Hawaii Bar Association. A $130 gift shouldn’t even be considered as a gift in her situation, and the people originally opposing her selection to be a judge should stop stirring the pot.
John S. Rabi
Kailua-Kona