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From: Keene Fuiinaka r ,A
To: Council Testimony
Subject: CoH Resolution 233-19 g
Date: Tuesday,July 23,2019 8:13:21 AM 101 UIL
Aloha-
I am submitting this testimony in support of the Thirty Meter Telescope("TMT").
Over the past week,we have witnessed a beautiful and heartwarming coming together of people. These groups view
the mountain as a sacred place and would see it treated with respect.
In the past,there were less safeguards in place to ensure proper stewardship of the summit;however,the process
that TMT has gone through over the past ten years has put unprecedented rules in place to properly care for the area,
including specific plans to reduce the number of facilities at the summit. This legal process was approached with
good intentions and properly carried out,allowing for testimony from groups and individuals both for and against
the project. The resulting approval to proceed needs to be upheld.
Thirty Meter Telescope will be a state of the art facility,allowing Hawaii to maintain its place at the heart of the
study of our skies. Our position in the field will continue to support jobs in a clean industry,employing Hawaii
residents in a number of related fields. These jobs then support our economy and working families with stability
largely unaffected by tourism and seasonality. More importantly,our children will be given additional educational
opportunities through classroom instruction and programs such as the Akamai Workforce Initiative.
Over a decade long process to address the past and improve the definition of caring for Maunakea,we have heard
many opinions regarding this project. This has always been a powerful subject with strong opinions on all sides.
That being said,a well documented process was properly carried out,resulting in a notice to proceed. I respectfully
ask this body to support the TMT's right to proceed.
Respectfully submitted,
Keene Fujinaka
Comm. No ✓V�'t2
Ref. To: (JOun�il�
Ref. Date JUL 2 3 20191