HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0383.026 2018-2020 Comm. _5M
From: Gavin Kev
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Fwd: Please vote against Anti-TMT Resolution
Date: Sunday,July 21,2019 10:44:43 PM
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From: Gavin Key
Sent:Sunday,July 21, 2019 8:12:20 PM r
To: karen.eoff@hawaiicounty.gov<karen.eoff@hawaiicounty.gov>
Subject: Please vote against Anti-TMT Resolution
Aloha Council Member Eoff,
am writing because I just heard about the resolution being introduced to urge Gov. Ige to
institute a moratorium on construction on Mauna Kea. I would like to urge you, as a
member of the local scientific community, as a UH-Hilo alumnus, as the parent of a future
Kealakehe student, to vote against agendizing this resolution, and if it is considered, to vote
against it.
The TMT organization has been nothing but pono in their attitudes and actions over a
decade of legal process leading up to today. There should be no legal basis to prevent
them from moving forward with construction as scheduled, and finally accheiving the
success that has been so long delayed.
As I'm sure you are aware, the environmental concerns have been litigated and relitigated
and are a matter of established science. The project has no potential for significant impact
to the watershed or aquifer, despite all of the misinformation currently circulating online.
Despite the claims of some strident activists, the project will not degrade the mountain's
cultural resources or restrict access to traditional use areas.
Despite continuous obstruction, TMT has shown itself to be a good neighbor and steward of
the mountain by its willingness to engage and compromise with concerned community
stakeholders. Despite their inability to begin the project, they have been contributing
thousands of dollars into local STEM education and scholarship funds, assisting some
20,000 students at 97 schools. Over the lifetime of the telescope, the organization will
contribute or direct millions more into these education funds, conservation funds, UH, and
OHA. This is not to mention the 300 long-term construction jobs and 140 permanent
support staff roles that will be generated, along with irreplacable learning and research
opportunities for UH students.
The Big Island and the State need and deserve this project's successful delivery. If it is
allowed to fail, and Hawaii rejects the next generation of observatories, it will sign the death
warrant of astronomy in the state. This would be a tragic loss to us, and to the world.
Please, do not vote with obstructionists to diminish our economy and take opportunities y,
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Ref. Date JUL 2 3 Z019
away from our keiki.
Mahalo
Gavin Ke
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