HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 099 Draft 01 1980-1984County of Hawaii—State of Hawaii
Resolution No. 99 131
WHEREAS, research at the National Aeronautical and Space
Administration (NASA) Infrared telescope Observatory atop Mauna Kea,
considered one of the prime astronomy outposts in the world, could
be curtailed by budget cuts at NASA: and
WHEREAS, NASA is faced with having lost a multi -nation (Univer-
sity of Hawaii Institute of Astronomy, United Kingdom Infrared
Telescope, Canada -France -Hawaii Telescope) agreement to build living
quarters for scientists and support personnel working at the
observatory complex on the mountain; and
WHEREAS, President Reagan's administration plans to cut from
NASA's fiscal 1982 budget, the sum of $1.7 million needed for it's
share of the $7 million project; and
WHEREAS, the 9,000 foot mid-level support base project ground-
breaking is scheduled for the next fiscal year and will replace the
deteriorating construction labor camp buildings presently being
used by the consortium of telescopes on the land made available by
the State Department of Land and Natural Resources; and
WHEREAS, without a rest and operational base at the mid-level
area, scientists and support personnel must make their 1� hour
travel daily to and from work at an altitude level of 14,000 feet
causing extreme strain on their minds and bodies; and
WHEREAS, in the year and half of its operation, NASA's infrared
telescope has contributed to the Voyager explorations of the planets
Jupiter and Saturn, including its use in measuring asteroids and
other bodies deep in space which are not visible through normal
telescopes, indeed an outstanding contribution to space science.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF
HAWAII that it strongly urges President Reagan's Administration to
immediately restore the sum of $1.7 million as for the construction
of the mid-level area support base at Mauna Kea on the Island of
Hawaii.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the County of Hawaii
remit copies of this resolution to U. S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye;
U. S. Senator Spark M. Matsunaga; Congressman Daniel K. Akaka;
Congressman Cecil Heftel; Dr. John T. Jeffries, University of
Hawaii Institute of Astronomy; Dr. Terrance Lee, U. K. Infrared
Telescope; Dr. Rene Racine, Canada -France -Hawaii Telescope;
Dr. William E. Brunk, NASA: and to Dr. Eric Becklin, University
of Hawaii/NASA IRTF Division Director.
Dated at Hilo, Hawaii, this 20th day of May 1981.
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the vote indicated to
the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the County of Hawaii on
May 20, 1981
ATTEST:
COUNTY CLE 4AVIRMAN&�
SIDING OFFICER
ROLL CALL VOTE
JAYESI NOES A/E
De Luz, III
X
Domingo
y,
Fujii
X
Hale
X
Kawahara
x
Lai
X
Schutte
X
Reference:
M.B. No. p p
RESOLUTION NO. 99SIL