Plans for major construction in the sensitive ecosystems of our most sacred summits continue to push forward, despite significant opposition from the community. The University of Hawaii has filed two environmental impact statements — one for the world’s largest telescope in the world’s only tropical alpine desert, and another for a duplicative solar telescope in one of the most threatened national parks in the U.S. Both of these projects can be built in less sensitive areas.
Though both summits are protected as conservation districts, where the law expressly discourages construction, the University refuses to compromise, insisting that these giant, intrusive structures be built where they will cause the most harm.
Don’t let good science be used to justify unnecessary ecological destruction and cultural disrespect. Take action now to defend our sacred, fragile summits.
1) Protect Haleakala — the House of the Sun — from another, unnecessary solar telescope (http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2699/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1037)
2) Defend the Sacred Summit of Mauna Kea from the World’s Largest Telescope
(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2699/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1129)
Public hearings on the proposal to build the world’s largest telescope on Mauna Kea are being held now. All meetings are 5 to 8 p.m., with an open house in the beginning, followed by formal presentations, and then comments from the public.
Public Hearings on the New Mauna Kea Telescope Proposal
June 16 (Tuesday) Waimea – Waimea Elementary School Cafeteria
June 17 (Wednesday) Hilo – Hilo High School Cafeteria
June 18 (Thursday) Puna – Pahoa High School Cafeteria
June 22 (Monday) Ka’u – Ka’u High/Pahala Elementary School Cafeteria
June 23 (Tuesday) Hawi – Kohala Cultural Center
June 24 (Wednesday) Kona – Kealakehe Elementary School Cafeteria
June 25 (Thursday) Honolulu – Farrington High School Cafeteria
The Draft EIS is available on the Project website — www.TMT-HawaiiEIS.org — and hard copies can be found at public libraries throughout Hawaii.
Mahalo nui,
Us Guys at KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance
1149 Bethel St., #415
Honolulu, HI 96813
www.kahea.org
blog.kahea.org
phone: 808-524-8220
email: kahea-alliance@hawaii.rr.com
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