HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0383.030 2018-2020 Go�►r1. .�83
From: Colleen
To: Council Testimony
Subject: TMT construction moratorium hearing 7/24/19
Date: Tuesday,July 23,2019 9:12:00 AM ]19 JIUL A '
Re: 7/24 Wednesday at 9am West Hawaii Civic Center.Councilwoman Maile David's resolution supports Senator
Kahele's request that urges Ige to put a 60 day construction moratorium relating to the TMT on Mauna A Wakea.
Aloha,
I support a moratorium on TMT construction for many reasons. Most importantly because Mauna Kea is my and
many people's sacred place.It is a place of deep spiritual connection with our aina and our heavens. Personally my
spiritual practices have been substantially disrupted since this years solstice when Gov.Ige approved TMT's
building permit. I had planned to be on Mauna Kea for the solstice but abandoned plans due to Ige's push for
construction to begin. I usually go to Mauna Kea for prayer and ceremony which is typically a place of peace and
harmony. I did not want to go there when disrespectful enforcements or protector oppression might be encountered.
I have had to find other places to pray because Mauna Kea's peace is now disrupted by construction plans and high
police etc activities.My heart aches and my eyes water to know my place of worship may soon be altered negatively
forever.
In addition to the spiritual harm TMT creates I am also concerned about other risks for harm.Mauna Kea is a
conservation district with a substantial aquifer,multiple sacred ahu's and Iwi of ancestors.TMT construction plans
have already desecrated some of these locations which goes against the very purpose of a conservation district.
Constructing the largest structure on Hawaii in a conservation district should never have been approved. Especially
when the district has already been so poorly managed. University of Hawaii and The Office of Mauna Kea
management have already proven they are not capable of following their own conservation guidelines.If they can
not properly manage what already exists how are we to have any faith more construction would be properly
managed? Perhaps after they resolve all of their mismanagement issues and properly maintain Mauna Kea for a few
years they can be trusted to manage something more? They have a long way to go in the meantime.
My next concerns relate to deployment of multiple enforcement agencies to police Mauna Kea and Mauna Kea
Protectors. The state is already financially strained and the high costs of enforcement will not be reimbursed by
TMT.Therefore the state is using residential tax funds against their own residents to provide security for an outside
for profit business.Completely backwards in my opinion. Worse than the financial strain is the emotional strain for
both enforcers and protectors. Requiring enforcers to criminalize their own ohana when they don't want to creates
great emotional stress for all involved. Those jobs are stressful enough as is,it is dangerous and disrespectful to
force them to potentially harm the very people they have committed to protect and serve.
In summary,Mauna Kea is not an appropriate place for the TMT no matter what financial gains it may bring to the
state of Hawaii. It produces more risk than it is worth on many levels.Disrespecting and limiting access for long
standing spiritual and cultural practices is not the path forward. The path forward involves respecting these
practices and all people involved to ensure no further desecration of our sacred Mauna A Wakea.
Please stop TMT construction.TMT is not worth the harm it is causing. Mahalo for considering my testimony.
Sincerely,
Colleen Mellor
Age:44
Registered voter in Honokaa,HI
Comm. No. ✓��'��
Ref. To: PIOUNAI
JUL 2 3 2019
Ref. Date