Protesters Block Construction of Giant Hawaii Telescope

[longship]

12. A few points.

First, the observatory is only on a part of the summit set aside specifically for the purpose of astronomy decades ago. It's location was specifically selected for the purposes of reducing both cultural and environmental impact. There is plenty of Mauna Kea summit that is not observatory. It is a rather large mountain. And AFAIK the TMT will not expand the observatory area. Plus its location was selected specifically to be sensitive to both environment and cultural impact.

Second, the observatory grounds are purposefully kept as pristine as possible to have minimal to no impact on the environment or the view of the summit. This includes native flora and fauna. If one goes to the observatory Web site they have a page about environmental (and cultural) impact. The extent that the protesters say this is not so is the extent that they are not being truthful.

Third, the observatory is at such a high altitude that astronomers don't even work there. The air pressure is too thin which makes it difficult to think. The number of staff at the summit is minimum for this reason and also to preserve the environment on the observatory grounds.

Fourth, who says the native volcano gods do not like learning about the universe?

I do not apologize for using strong language about this issue because many protesters don't just want to block the TMT, they want no astronomy whatsoever on the summit, which is a rather extreme and kooky position to take and is anyway a non-starter, especially since the observatory is by far the finest on the planet. Blocking the telescope is a very anti-science position to take.