I like Gov. Ige\u2019s plans for the Thirty Meter Telescope and the stewardship of Mauna Kea. Let the TMT be built, but give cultural and environmental concerns equal footing with science. <\/p>\n
This could be one of those elusive win-win-win situations, but only if the followthrough is solid, effective and sincere. <\/p>\n
I have thought all along that the TMT issue really is about one thing: respect. And there has been a lack of it all around \u2014 for science, for Native Hawaiian culture, for the more moderate voices of those who would seek compromise. <\/p>\n
Lack of respect, I believe, has a lot to do with listening \u2014 as in, the inability or unwillingness to open your ears and really hear what the other person is saying. <\/p>\n
This is why I was struck and heartened by this section in Ige\u2019s statement that outlines our core values as a community:<\/p>\n
\u2022 The importance of respecting our host culture and the special places of Hawaii <\/p>\n
\u2022 The critical role that science and technology play in the economic and educational life of our community. Our young people need to reach for the stars literally and figuratively <\/p>\n
\u2022 Respect for the laws and the process of seeking and receiving approvals to do work here in Hawaii <\/p>\n
\u2022 The need in all of our work as government and as a people to listen and to learn from each other, and especially from those who feel they have not been heard. <\/p>\n
\u2022 To act always with aloha In case you failed to notice my bold-faced emphasis, let me repeat what I believe is the key to unlocking the TMT standoff: <\/p>\n
\u201cThe need in all of our work as government and as a people to listen and to learn from each other, and especially from those who feel they have not been heard.\u201d <\/p>\n
In the case of TMT, there were several voices that needed to be heard. Of course, Native Hawaiians, who decided they\u2019d been ignored by \u201cthe system\u201d long enough. They spoke up and acted. They refused to be silent. I commend them for becoming activists for a cause they believe in, rather than sitting and stewing at the injustice. <\/p>\n
But then other voices started to emerge, tentatively at first, and then a bit more stridently. They were the voices of people who don\u2019t like conflict, who don\u2019t want to step on native cultural values, and yet \u2014 they have something at stake, too. They were young people who want to learn, to embrace science as their future. They were parents who want their children to have the opportunity to reach for the stars. They are not activists by nature, but they wanted to be heard, too. And I\u2019m glad. We needed to hear you. <\/p>\n
I know this isn\u2019t over. It\u2019s not easy for people to rein in passions that have run so high, or to soften voices that have had to scream to be heard. <\/p>\n
But your voices have been heard. The governor has outlined a path for those who take the time to see and understand, and for those willing to hold all parties accountable. <\/p>\n
The follow-up will be key. If any of the major parties fail to live up to their commitments then who can blame people for saying, \u201cI told you so?\u201d <\/p>\n
But, for now, it\u2019s time to stop yelling and start working together toward a real solution. I believe the governor has given us a good framework, and he did it by listening to \u2014 and hearing \u2014 all parties involved. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s time to give respect \u2014 and compromise \u2014 a chance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I like Gov. Ige\u2019s plans for the Thirty Meter Telescope and the stewardship of Mauna Kea. Let the TMT be..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[103],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54180","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-moonlighting"],"yoast_head":"\n