Mauna Kea plan criticized

By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — Critics of the W.M. Keck Observatory's "outrigger" telescope project on Mauna Kea vented some of their concerns to NASA officials at a public meeting last night.

Kaliko Kanaele, member of the Royal Order of Kamehameha, said ongoing development on the summit "makes us worried about who is guarding our sacred things."

"Our people have said no, we really want you to become good stewards first, before even asking for any more," Kanaele said.

About 80 people turned out for the meeting at the Hawai'i Naniloa Resort.

NASA's environmental impact statement will be the first comprehensive federal study to assess the cultural and environmental aspects of observatory development on the 13,796-foot summit.

Mauna Kea is home to 13 observatories.

Carl Pilcher, NASA's project scientist, estimated the impact statement would cost the space agency $1 million to $2 million and take about a year to complete.

NASA is seeking permission to build up to six smaller 72-inch telescopes around the existing twin 33-foot Keck telescopes.

Noa Helela, 10, a fourth-grader at Kamakau Charter School, said, "There are many people who need the mountain for different things besides telescopes."

Additional meetings are planned for tonight at the Waimea YMCA; Monday at the Japanese Cultural Center in Honolulu; and Tuesday at Wai'anae District Park.

The sessions begin with an informal open house at 5:15 p.m., with formal meetings to air public comments and concerns at 6:30 p.m.