Mauna Kea. Not just the highest point in the islands. Geology, tradition, culture are emblematic of this beautiful place.
Probably the biggest controversy to erupt in Hawaii since statehood in 1959 has to be the construction of an enormous 30-meter telescope on the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island.
This spot is one of the most sacred in all the islands for Native Hawaiians. They say it has been desecrated enough over decades of use by the observatories already there.
Granted, these observatories have been essential in our quest to observe and understand the universe. The clear air atop a 14,000 foot mountain in the middle of the Pacific Ocean affords an amazing view.
But at what cost?
I agree with the Hawaiians wholeheartedly. If this new monstrosity is such a marvel to science, why not demolish the rest of the telescopes and buildings up there and build this one? I think that would be a reasonable compromise.
By the way, I am not sure of what the current conditions on the ground are. When they finally got approval for the construction of the telescope, locals gathered in mass to block the Mauna Kea access road.
It used to be that you could drive to the summit with a four-wheel vehicle to witness the spectacle of the glorious sunset (as seen in my photograph).
I am not sure if you can do that anymore.
Barring that, you can benefit environmental causes I support by purchasing a print of this photograph on my sales site. I donate 10 percent of my net proceeds to organizations like The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund and others. Thank You.
