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What's At Stake:
 NASA produced a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to assess the environmental impacts associated with the proposed construction of six new telescopes near the twin Keck Telescope Observatory for the Outrigger Telescope Project. NASA was tasked to focus on the cumulative effects of past, current and future activities on the cultural and natural resources on the summit of Mauna Kea.
This is the first federal assessment of the impacts of astronomy development on Native Hawaiian culture and the natural resource since it began over 30 years ago. NASA completed the DEIS in a phenomenally short period of time. Unfortunately, the rush job is reflected in the data produced and assessed.
The DEIS is fatally flawed and fails in numerous ways to adequately assess the project's impacts to cultural and religious practices or to the natural environment.
Cultural sites have been destroyed and according to NASA's own DEIS past and present telescope activities on Mauna Kea have substantially and adversely impacted cultural resources. The DEIS admits that, "future activities on the summit would continue the substantial and adverse impacts on cultural resources."
The NASA Draft EIS Cumulative Impact Summary states, "In conclusion, the overall cumulative impact of past, present and reasonably foreseeable future activities is substantial, adverse, and significant."
In spite of known cultural degradation of the most sacred area of Hawai'i, the industry wants more. Not just six more telescopes, as proposed by NASA and UH, but there are several proposals for other development on the summit, including a "next generation" telescope. This would be an even larger "world's largest telescope," the thirty-meter telescope. This project is so massive it won't fit on the summit region. They hope to occupy and destroy the adjoining unspoiled northern plateau region.
Mauna Kea is a wahi pana (a sacred place) and provides the core foundation of the heritage and sacred traditions of the Native Hawaiian people. It is the place of origins, birthplace of the gods and the point of contact with the spirit world. Many Hawaiian traditions and practices conducted on Mauna Kea can be practiced nowhere else in the world. Mauna Kea is the sacred temple, belonging to Akua, Na Akua, and Na `Au makua. The mountain is the burial ground of the most sacred and revered ancestors of the Hawaiian people. Currently the summit is used routinely for ceremonies and other cultural practices, which pre-date modern science by millennia.
This profoundly holy and sacred temple has been developed, paved, bulldozed and occupied by the telescope industry for 30 years. The existing footprint of development extends to over twenty facilities. The original summit contour has been bulldozed and changed forever. The view plane, important for vital religious practices, has been destroyed.
The rare and unique native Wekiu bug, a candidate for endangered species designation, has been nearly wiped out.
There are significant flaws to the Draft EIS.
--It fails to present unbiased science with respect to the Wekiu bug and to the hydrology of the mountain. The data presented is not peer reviewed and omits relevant recent scientific review panel findings. The hydrology information that is presented is grossly deficient.
--The Scoping comments are not included in the DEIS, so it is impossible to determine how the DEIS measures up against the factors presented to NASA during the scoping period.
--The University of Hawai'i's Master Plan for development on Mauna Kea has not been approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR). The last Management Plan, approved by BLNR in 1983, set the limit on the number of astronomy facilities to thirteen. The BLNR rules expressly require an approved management plan for any facilities and further requires that any amendments to the 1983 plan be approved by the BLNR. This has not occurred.
--Despite the fact that the NASA is in the middle of the EIS process, the University of Hawai`i Institute for Astronomy (UHIFA), which administers astronomy activities on the mountain, has concurrently applied for a Conservation District Use Permit on behalf of NASA to begin the construction of the six Outrigger Telescopes. This indicates a severe lack of good faith in the process.
--There is no burial treatment plan. The project may not proceed without a plan that has been approved and sanctioned by the Burial Council of Hawai'i.
--The 106 Consultation process was rejected by the representatives of the Native Hawaiian organizations involved in the consultation. All but one refused to sign the Memorandum of Agreement.
--NASA attempts to dismiss the strong opposition to any further development on the mountain as coming from "a few Hawaiians who do not understand the importance of science." The overwhelming majority of public sentiment expressed in the scoping hearings and in the hearings held on the DEIS came from a broad cross- section of residents and reflected strong opposition to any further development on the mountain.
It is very important to recognize that everyone benefits by protecting the integrity of this extremely sacred mountain. Your voice in opposition to further desecration of Mauna Kea will help protect the rights of Indigenous people everywhere.
Campaign Expiration Date:
September 30, 2004
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Mauna Kea is profoundly sacred to the Native Hawaiian people. It
already supports 24 telescope installations. NASA and the
University of Hawai'i want six new telecopes with plans for
additonal expansion. The mountains fragile alpine resources have
been seriously compromised. The principal aquifer for Hawaii
Island is at risk. Enough is enough. KAHEA is calling on
everyone to please TAKE ACTION Today to stop any further
development on this sacred summit.
