An article in Wednesday’s edition of West Hawaii Today, titled “Mauna Mismanaged,” sounded terrible but was interesting. I am sure that it was pleasing to many who read it and very encouraging to those who are against utilizing Maunakea as a base from which to explore the heavens. They would rather that Maunakea remain as is and be worshiped as a god. The issue needs to be reconciled eventually.
An article in Wednesday’s edition of West Hawaii Today, titled “Mauna Mismanaged,” sounded terrible but was interesting. I am sure that it was pleasing to many who read it and very encouraging to those who are against utilizing Maunakea as a base from which to explore the heavens. They would rather that Maunakea remain as is and be worshiped as a god. The issue needs to be reconciled eventually.
The article talks about House Speaker Scott Saiki lashing out at Greg Chun, University of Hawaii, to step down from its role of managing the science precinct, master lease, on Maunakea. The article does not mention where or how Saiki came to this conclusion. However, there was an evaluation just released a few days ago that was very critical of the management of the mountain. To many of us who are involved in the cultural aspects of the mountain, we do not think that the management of Maunakea is perfect, neither do we think that the evaluation was fair and without bias. We also realize that not every Hawaiian will ever be totally pleased with the management. We do know that the university is making the effort to improve management practices and are willing to cooperate in that effort.
Saiki wants to get the so called “Protectors of the Mauna” known as Kia’i more involved and that is a good thing. However, he should first check on their idea of “Protecting the Mauna” by checking out their protest camp site at the base of the mountain. That place was a total dump that required the County of Hawaii to step in and clean it up. Today, it is still an embarrassment to the rest of us Hawaiians who travel that road.
Not every Hawaiian will be happy with the way the mountain is being utilized because our expectations vary from one end of the spectrum to the other end. Some Hawaiians want the mountain to remain untouched and be worshiped as a god. Others among us support the utilization of Maunakea as a place from which to explore the heavens. Maunakea with its clear sky and atmosphere is promoted as the best viewing site in the world to study the heavens.
Maybe Saiki would have been better off talking to some of us that are involved in the mountain culturally before ranting. Maybe even better still if John Burnett, the author of the article, had taken the time to get both sides of the story before having it printed. Whatever the case, Maunakea is a trusted gift, a one of a kind, given to mankind by the creator that we may explore the awe of the heavens.
Leningrad Elarionoff is a resident of Waimea.
