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The unpermitted structure, purportedly a library and study for keiki at the Protector's camp near Puʻuhuluhulu at Maunakea
Access Road, was demolished Friday. See stories, below. All Maunakea photos from Karyn Spencer's Facebook
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PROTECTORS OF MAUNAKEA ISSUED A CALL TO THE MAUNA after police cut through a Hawaiian flag during demolition of an unpermitted wooden
structure on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property near Maunakea Access Road.
The statement, issued yesterday, predicted the closing of Daniel K. Inouye Highway,
Saddle Road, Sunday night and law "enforcement action" as early as
pre-dawn Monday: "After 56 days of peacefully protecting Maunakea and
holding off the TMT, we have received information from multiple sources that
has given us reason to strongly believe that law enforcement action to clear Puʻuhonua
o Pu‘uhuluhulu and the Maunakea Access Road for TMT construction is imminent.
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| The structure, just prior to demolition. |
"TMT will be
meeting with State and County officials this Sunday to coordinate their attack
on peaceful and nonviolent protectors of Maunakea. We are asking all Kiaʻi
Mauna to come to Puʻuhonua o Puʻuhuluhulu before Sunday evening and to be
prepared to stay as long as you can. We need as much people as we can get to
stand in Kapu Aloha to protect Maunakea from further desecration through the
building of the Thirty Meter Telescope.
"Kiaʻi
coming to Maunakea should be prepared to camp out at Puʻuhonua o Puʻuhuluhulu
and should bring clothing and supplies suitable for cold weather and harsh
conditions. Kiaʻi should also come to the Puʻuhonua with a true commitment to
protect Maunakea in Kapu Aloha, peace, nonviolence and respect. Our strong
commitment to Kapu Aloha is the foundation of the success of this movement, and
our success moving forward relies on it as well.
"To all of
our Kiaʻi Mauna, now is the time. Maunakea needs you. See you on the Mauna!"
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| Buku Gamayo was arrested prior to the demolition. |
DEMOLITION OF AN UNPERMITED STRUCTURE near Maunkea Access
Road on Friday has sparked reaction from Protectors of Maunakea. The structure
was intended as a library and study space for keiki, according to a statement
from leaders at Puʻuhonua o Puʻuhuluhulu, where Protectors of Maunakea have
gathered since July 13. The Kiaʻi, Protectors, protest the building of the
planet's largest terrestrial telescope atop a mauna they hold sacred. Maunakea
Access Road, which has been peacefully blocked by the Kiaʻi since July 15, is the only way to the
summit for the heavy machinery required to construct the Thiry Meter Telescope.
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| A power saw was used to cut through the Hawaiian flag, placed across the door of the structure. |
About the
demolition of the structure, Gov. David Ige said, "Law enforcement has
deliberately refrained from escalating its approach to the current protest
because it was important to provide some meaningful space and time for all of
us to find a peaceful resolution to this situation. However, this type of
permanent structure erected without (Department of Hawaiian Home Lands)
permission, and without being regulated or inspected in any way, cannot be
allowed. The safety risk is too great."
A livestream
video from Ikaika Marzo, well know for his coverage of the Kīlauea
eruption last year, shows the cutting of the Hawaiian flag, which was attached across
the building's entry door. Video released from Department of Land and Natural
Resources did not show the sawing. Marzo's video also shows the arrest of
two men, one of them visibly upset.
Said Marzo, while
recording: "Sad that our flag, our flag was on the door… All you have to
do is take down the flag, and saw down the door. But instead he like…. he like
saw right through the flag."
After the event, State
Highways director Ed Sniffen stated, "The officers had to cut through the
flag in order to get through the building because all the windows were blacked
out. There was no way for our law enforcement to see inside the building to see
if anybody was there or if it was safe to take down."
Marzo posted to Facebook, "Tell me the
flag could have come down easier then sawing it down. Are you serious Ige? You
had all the time in the world to peacefully and respectfully take it down with
honor and integrity. Mahalo to HPD Big
Island
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| A photo of a young wahine helping to build the structure, left. Right, the same young wahine is embraced as she cries while watching the demolition. |
According to
multiple sources, Buku Gamayo, one of the arrested men, cried out, "Mom!
They cut the flag! They cut the flag – they could have pulled it off! How can
they wear it on their uniform to show who they represent then do something like
that, mom?!"
Darde Gamayo,
mother of Buku Gamayo, said in a post to Facebook: "The pain from
yesterday's incident is going to remain in everyone's heart & memory for a
long time."
The Office of
Hawaiian Affairs issued a statement on the demolition, remarking that there is
a "longstanding and particularly abhorrent double standard the state uses
to enforce land use laws against Native Hawaiians as opposed to others."
OHA contends that the state has allowed other "unpermitted and unauthorized astronomy structures that were far larger and located in far more environmentally- and culturally-sensitive areas of the mountain." They gave examples: the first three telescopes built on the summit of Maunakea "failed to apply for a conservation district use permit and therefore were unpermitted for at least six years." OHA states an unauthorized structure was "discovered" in 1976, but the $85,000 fine against the building contractor "appears to have never been collected." OHA states that, in 1982, Bureau of Land and Natural Resources approved the Caltech telescope permit "with an explicit requirement that no further astronomy development occur until the University of Hawaiʻi completed a new master plan. Two months later, BLNR approved a new telescope before the master plan was completed, thereby endorsing a violation of the Caltech permit." In 1997, states OHA, BLNR approved four after-the-fact subleases for telescopes already built or in the process of being built on the summit.
OHA contends that the state has allowed other "unpermitted and unauthorized astronomy structures that were far larger and located in far more environmentally- and culturally-sensitive areas of the mountain." They gave examples: the first three telescopes built on the summit of Maunakea "failed to apply for a conservation district use permit and therefore were unpermitted for at least six years." OHA states an unauthorized structure was "discovered" in 1976, but the $85,000 fine against the building contractor "appears to have never been collected." OHA states that, in 1982, Bureau of Land and Natural Resources approved the Caltech telescope permit "with an explicit requirement that no further astronomy development occur until the University of Hawaiʻi completed a new master plan. Two months later, BLNR approved a new telescope before the master plan was completed, thereby endorsing a violation of the Caltech permit." In 1997, states OHA, BLNR approved four after-the-fact subleases for telescopes already built or in the process of being built on the summit.
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| Light is clearly seen through two windows on either side of the door of the structure. State Highways director Ed Sniffen stated the Hawaiian flag that was across the door was cut through because of safety issues related to the windows being "blacked out." |
Read more on the developments at Maunakea in tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs.
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UNDERSTANDING SCIENCE AND ITS CULTURAL BRIDGE in the context of Maunakea and ‘
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‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. Photo from ‘Imiloa
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aims to make Hawai‘i the first place in the world to
weave indigenous practices into the process of officially naming astronomical
discoveries — specifically those by telescopes on Maunakea and Haleakalā.
The newsletter reports ʻImiloa executive director Ka‘iu
Kimura said that ‘Imiloa was "founded on the idea of bringing culture and science
together. We were born from the confluence of parallel trends – the revitalization
of Hawaiian language and culture and the understanding of the universe enabled
by the Maunakea observatories. We are about enhancing culture and science – together
– in a way that promotes mutual understanding and respect between
communities."
Asked about it by the governor's office, Kimura said the environment at Maunakea was "just as complex" in 2001, when planning for ‘Imiloa first started. "There weren't many science centers founded on indigenous and modern scientific knowledge coming together. I think it was the first time that members of our Hawaiian and astronomy communities came together to create something."
Asked about it by the governor's office, Kimura said the environment at Maunakea was "just as complex" in 2001, when planning for ‘Imiloa first started. "There weren't many science centers founded on indigenous and modern scientific knowledge coming together. I think it was the first time that members of our Hawaiian and astronomy communities came together to create something."
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ʻImiloa executive director
Ka‘iu Kimura.
Photo from ʻImiloa
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Said Ka‘iu Kimura, "We have a strong commitment between ‘Imiloa, UH-Hilo's College of Hawaiian Language, and Culture and the Maunakea Observatories to continue this work. I'm aware there are some who see ‘Imiloa as a proponent of astronomy and, by extension, TMT. But I see our role as critical to bringing the work of the observatories to the community and sharing the culture and values of the community with the astronomical community, both locally and globally. I think it's important to have a voice that reflects our community's voice.
"Our programs, like A Hua He Inoa,
help our youth statewide engage in scientific, astronomical inquiry in a way
that reflects the Hawaiian practice of naming celestial objects." She told
the governor's newsletter that forming a "true partnership that
advances both the science and the indigenous language and knowledge" is "critical. That
co-dependency is so important as we, as a community, move forward so we can
advance one another. We feel it's important to support all of the perspectives
on Maunakea and its future. We're a product of convergence of the Hawaiian
language and culture and the revolutionary astronomy being done.
"We want to
share the amazing attributes of Maunakea – culturally, scientifically,
environmentally. That's what keeps our staff going every day. ‘Imiloa
Astronomy Center
For more on ‘Imiloa's programs, go to imiloahawaii.org.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
KAʻŪ TROJANS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL played a strong game at their
away game against the Christian Liberty Canefires on Wednesday. The Varsity-only
sets saw Kaʻū take down their opponents 25 to 21 in the first two sets, 25 to
23 in the final set.
On Friday, Kaʻū
hosted Kamehameha Schools' Warriors. The Junior Varsity teams played two sets,
Warriors taking down the Trojans 25 to 9 and 25
to 2 . Varsity sets saw Kaʻū stronger, but Kamehameha winning with
25 to 11, 25 to 10, and 25 to 17.
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| ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's Serve for Cash program at home volleyball games raised $1,000 for Kaʻū High School Athletics. OKK's June Domondon is in blue. Ka’ū Athletics Director, Kalei Namohala, is far left. Photo from OKK |
SERVE FOR CASH CONTEST raised $1,000 for Kaʻū Athletics at
Friday's volleyball game. Cy Lopez, Kayla Nishimura, Albert Pacheco, and
Douglas Gora each earned the school $250, and received a $20 gift certificate, courtesy
of the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou program.
TROJANS FOOTBALL played an away game yesterday, traveling to
Waimea to go up against Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy's Ka Makani. Kaʻū began the
game strong, with 6 points scored in the first quarter, to HPA's 3.
In the second quarter, HPA scored 7 to Kaʻū's
6.
The second half of the game saw Kaʻū shut out,
with no points scored.
The Ka Makani –
which means the wind – scored 8 points in both the third and fourth quarters,
for a final score of 26 over the Trojans' 12.
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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.
Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
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2019 Kaʻū High School Athletics Schedule through September
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates
Football, Division II:
Sat., Sept. 14, 11 a.m. , Kaʻū hosts Kohala
Thu., Sept. 19, 7 p.m. , Pāhoa hosts Kaʻū
Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Tue., Sept. 10, 6 p.m. , Kaʻū hosts Kealakeha
Fri., Sept. 13, 6 p.m. , Honokaʻa hosts Kaʻū
Tue., Sept. 17, 6 p.m. , Waiakea hosts Kaʻū
Thu., Sept. 19, 6 p.m. , Keaʻau hosts Kaʻū
Tue., Sept. 24, 6 p.m. , Makualani hosts Kaʻū
Fri., Sept. 27, 6 p.m. , Kaʻū hosts HPA
Cross Country:
Fri., Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m. , @HPA
Sat., Sept. 21, 10 a.m. , @Kealakehe
Sat., Sept. 28, 10 a.m. , @Keaʻau
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UPCOMING
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Ka‘ū Net Recovery Patrol, Monday, Sept. 9. Free; donations appreciated. Limited space available; B.Y.O.-4WD okay. R.S.V.P. required, kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com. 769-7629, wildhawaii.org
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Monday, Sept. 9 and 23, 1p.m., field trips - contact for location. Parent-led homeschool activity and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
TUESDAY, SEPT. 10
Hawaiian Cultural Artifacts in the 21st Century, Tuesday, Sept. 10,
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11
Ho‘oponopono Demonstration, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 10a.m. -noon , Kīlauea Visitor Center Ala. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo
Registration Open: Coffee Filter Art, Thursday, Sept. 12-17, Ka‘ū District Gym multipurpose room. Program for grades K-8 takes place Wednesday, Sept. 18, 3:30-5p.m. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thursday, Sept. 12, 6:30p.m. , United Methodist Church
Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Friday, Sept. 13, 9a.m. -noon , Ocean View Community Center
Community Dance, Friday, Sept. 13, 7-10p.m. , Cooper Center Volcano Village
Macadamia Nut Pest Workshop, Saturday, Sept. 14, 9-11:30a.m. , Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Alyssa Cho, CTAHR, presents. Learn to manage pests in the orchard, with a focus on macadamia felted coccid - applications for use of application equipment on eligible farms after training. Free event, snack provided. Limited space, registration required. 430-1876, bigislandmacnut@gmail.com
Birth of Kahuku, Saturday, Sept. 14, 9:30-11:30a.m. , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, easy-to-moderate hike. nps.gov/havo
Nā Mamo o Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Saturday, Sept. 14, meet 9:30a.m., Northern Gate, Kāwā. RSVP to James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. Bring a water bottle, lunch, closed toed shoes, long sleeved t-shirt, and pants. Tools, gloves, water, and light refreshments provided. nmok.org, facebook.com/NMOK.Hawaii
Zentangle Knot Work Celtic Inspired with Ellen O‘Dunn, Saturday, Sept. 14, 10a.m.-1p.m. , Volcano Art Center
SUNDAY, SEPT. 15
People and Land of Kahuku 9:30-11:30a.m. , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate, 2.5 mile hike over rugged terrain. nps.gov/havo
ONGOING
Exhibit - Nani Ka ‘Ikena by Volcano local photographer Jesse Tunison, daily through Sunday, Sept. 15, 9a.m.-5p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Nani Ka ʻIkena, that which is seen is beautiful, features vibrant colors and crisp, wide vistas which highlight the character and drama of Hawaiʻi Island’s landscape. The collection of ten photographs were captured over the past decade by Tunison and also document the dynamic changes which have occurred in such a short period of time. "While the landscape has changed the beauty has endured." Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org
Tutoring for Kaʻū Hugh & Pāhala Elementary is Available to All Students of the school, from
Nationwide 2019 Congressional App Challenge submissions from middle and high schoolers are open through Nov. 1. Submit to Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, CongressionalAppChallenge.us, apps "designed to promote innovation and engagement in computer science." All skill levels, all devices and platforms, and all programming languages, accepted.
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