EDITORIAL
Science on Mauna Kea must recognize others
A federal judge's order that NASA must perform a more thorough environmental assessment of its planned telescope expansion on Mauna Kea may be, long term, the best thing that could have happened for this important scientific endeavor.
The future of the world-class astronomy center atop Mauna Kea depends on a cooperative relationship among the scientific, environmental, cultural and even recreational users of the mountain.
That spirit of cooperation is fragile at best right now. Any thought that NASA or any other agency was trying to slip an expansion project through without adequate assessment only harms efforts at cooperation.
In fact, it strengthens the arguments of the vocal critics of the astronomy center.
The issue in question is a proposal by NASA to expand the Keck Observatory by adding a $50 million "outrigger" of up to six 1.8-meter telescopes around the central observatory. The additional telescopes would improve the images produced by the powerful Keck telescope.
Critics say this amounts to a substantial increase in scientific activity on the summit and could have a significant impact on cultural and environmental resources.
In its first attempt at an environmental assessment, NASA concluded there would be no significant impact. U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway said that conclusion was flawed, in part because it did not take into account the Keck project's "cumulative" impact when added to previous and future activity.
Critics, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, say NASA should go directly to a much more rigorous and time-consuming environmental impact statement rather than redoing the environmental assessment.
Mollway rejected that demand. But the underlying point remains. NASA and others who conduct valuable scientific work at Mauna Kea must accept that they share this mountaintop with others, including cultural users, endangered species and even visitors who appreciate the mountain's physical beauty.
The continued existence of this valuable scientific facility depends on fully recognizing and adapting to this shared use.
