OHA hails NASA decision on impact statement
By Kevin Dayton and Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writers
NASA will begin work next month on an environmental impact statement for the outrigger telescope project at the W.M. Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea.
The agency yesterday made a joint announcement with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, which had challenged a less-comprehensive NASA study — an environmental assessment — in federal court.
Officials estimated that the study could cost as much as $1 million.
Ken Kumor, NASA's federal preservation officer who also monitors the agency's compliance with federal environmental law, said the EIS process will begin with public meetings in December and January.
NASA aims to complete a draft statement in late May or early June and to finish the final document by fall, Kumor said, but those deadlines can extend if needed to "get this EIS right."
Haunani Apoliona, chairwoman of the OHA board of trustees, praised NASA for going beyond the July court order for revisions in the environmental assessment, which federal Judge Susan Oki Mollway ruled was flawed. Mollway did not compel NASA to do a full EIS.
"We welcome NASA's commitment to this process as a positive step, and see this as a demonstration of good faith by NASA in building trust and in fulfilling its obligations as stewards of this sacred site," Apoliona said.
Carl Pilcher, NASA's program scientist on the project, said the agency decided to move ahead with an impact statement now to fulfill community desires for one. Also, he said, Mollway had ordered NASA to look at cumulative impacts from the project, and that analysis might tell the agency that a full impact statement is needed, anyway.
The project would allow astronomers to add up to six 6-foot telescopes to enhance images taken at Keck Observatory, one of 13 observatories on the Mauna Kea summit.
Among those witnessing yesterday's announcement was Kealoha Pisciotta, president of Mauna Kea Anaina Hou, an organization that has opposed the observatory expansion. The group's chief concerns about the project have been its potential damage to the mountain's water supply, its impact on any area burial sites and on whether it would interfere with various Hawaiian cultural practices.
The group participated in a contested-case proceeding in Hilo this year to try to block the state permit for the project. Its position has been to oppose any new installations on Mauna Kea.
Pisciotta said Native Hawaiians use water from Lake Waiau on the mountain for medicinal purposes, conduct navigational rites before canoe voyages and hold ceremonies marking solstices and equinoxes. Changing the topography can interfere with these practices and is seen as disrespectful to Poliahu, the snow goddess whom the mountain represents, she said.
Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 935-3916. Reach Vicki Viotti at vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8053.
