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from the they-will-just-have-to-hubble-along dept.
From Nature.com:
Hawaii's supreme court has ruled that the construction permit for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on top of the mountain Mauna Kea is invalid. The 2 December decision is a major blow to the international consortium backing the US$1.5-billion telescope, and a win for the Native Hawaiians who have protested against its construction on what they regard as a sacred summit.
And the top reddit comment on the article, which I found neatly summed up the situation.
I spent time in Hawaii and talked to locals that were born and raised there about this issue. Its polarizing.
People against it brought up the need for spirituality and respect for the Hawaiian culture lost over hundred of years of Western influence.
Argument for the telescope, however, claimed that building it would do nothing but respect their history. How did the ancient Hawaiians get to the island? They used the stars. It was "in their blood" to understand the heavens. Most of the those complaining are young disenfranchised people struggling in one of the crappiest economies in America.
Of course this could be a generalization based on second hand observation.
As for me, as big as these telescopes are, they look like ants on top of these massive volcanoes. Ruining the scenery is nonsense.
We covered the Groundbreaking for World's Largest Telescope nearly a month ago.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 05 2015, @12:11AM
> I'm personally in favor of TMT, and completely against blocking a very interesting science facility because of "religion"
If it helps, don't think of it as "religion" think of it as opposition to yet another manifestation of colonialism. 20 years ago the US formally apologized for illegally overthrowing the kingdom of Hawaii. [wikipedia.org] But actions speak louder than words and telescope construction on Mauna Kea (I don't know why but your 'Maunakea' typo really got under my skin) has been an especially visible form of the hypocrisy of that apology. If we are going to claim to be respectful of people and ashamed of historical injustices then we have to walk that walk even when it means we don't get what we want.
(Score: 2) by J053 on Saturday December 05 2015, @01:52AM
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 05 2015, @03:12AM
I guess things have changed in the last two years.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 05 2015, @06:49PM
They have [hawaii.edu].
(Score: 4, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 05 2015, @03:39AM
> If it helps, don't think of it as "religion" think of it as opposition to yet another manifestation of colonialism.
No, let's think of it for what it is, leveraging religious superstition for extortion. Like it or not, Hawaii is a state no matter how it came into existence, and the science reserve is a state trust. The state can do whatever the fuck it wants to with the land as long as state officials deem it worthwhile, no matter how long and loud the SJWs whine. At present (and as usual), the state is bending over backwards for a handful of militant Hawaiians who are using "religious" claims to push their own political agenda, and the SJWs around the world are falling for it. Apologize for colonialism? Why not for electricity, medicine, education, sanitation and technology while you're at it?
(Score: 3, Insightful) by K_benzoate on Saturday December 05 2015, @06:37AM
Apologize for colonialism? Why not for electricity, medicine, education, sanitation and technology while you're at it?
SJWs probably don't consider those things to be improvements over the way of life the people had before. It's the same racist "noble savage" mentality of two centuries ago coming into fashion again.
Climate change is real and primarily caused by human activity.
(Score: 2) by DeathMonkey on Monday December 07 2015, @05:10PM
Like it or not, Hawaii is a state no matter how it came into existence,
Correct, and as a State, it's inhabitants are entitled to to their constitutionally protected due process rights.
We have this thing called freedom of religion here. We may disagree with it, but if the law of the land requires a contested hearing then a contested hearing must be provided.