Group News: Hawaiʻi Island, Maui
Hawaiʻi Island Group
Mauna Kea Update
By Deborah Ward | Reading Time: 2 minutes
Has construction of the the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) begun on Mauna Kea? The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo would like the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to think so, and Board of Land and Natural Resources Chair Suzanne Case agreed, but this premise is being challenged. A petition for declaratory orders from parties from the 2016-17 TMT permit contested case that challenges the University’s assertion that TMT construction has already been initiated will be ruled on by BLNR in the coming months. Petitioners Mauna Kea Anaina Hou, Kealoha Pisciotta, Kū Ching, Deborah J. Ward, Paul Neves, and KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance, point out that TMT construction has not begun and the Board should re-examine their 2017 permit approval in light of changed conditions surrounding the TMT project. The group cited a $1 billion shortfall for TMT funding, the Canadian Astronomical Association’s recent statement that it cannot support the TMT without Native Hawaiians’ consent, and DLNR’s own critical evaluation of University outreach and consultation with Hawaiians.
Currently, the University’s permit to build the TMT requires construction to begin by September 26, 2021 - more than a month ago. If the Board grants the group’s petition, the University would have to request another permit extension at a public hearing before the Board or its permit would be void within a year. “The University shouldn’t be able to twist facts in order to avoid public scrutiny,” said Kealoha Pisciotta, adding, “The TMT is not being constructed.”
Last month, the University sought community feedback on a draft of a new Mauna Kea Master Plan that could guide land-use decisions on lands seized following the overthrow of the monarchy, and held in trust by DLNR, currently managed by the University.
The Master Plan proposes “Decommissioning a sufficient number of existing astronomy facilities to ensure that the number of operating astronomy facilities in the MKSR [Mauna Kea Science Reserve] is no more than nine (9) by December 31, 2033”—the date the General Lease, issued in 1968, expires. But the Master Plan does not put forth any plans for a scenario where the lease is not renewed. The lease requires that the Mauna Kea Science Reserve and Astronomy Precinct be restored to original condition by the time the lease expires. That, in turn, would require the lengthy decommissioning process for observatories to start in a few years.
Many people contend that the existing footprint of industrial astronomy on the Conservation District and Historic District should not be expanded, and measures to reduce the number of telescopes should not be tied to the development of the TMT. The promoters of the TMT project were warned at the outset, in the Keystone Report that they commissioned, that the community was not in support of further development, and the hurdles could be insurmountable. They decided not to act at the behest of those who requested early consultation with cultural, religious, lineal and traditional practitioners through the NEPA Section 106 process.
The promoters of TMT have admitted that the funding to build and maintain such a facility are insufficient, and the partners have posted no bond to assure that the taxpaying residents of Hawaiʻi will not bear the cost of dismantling or decommissioning the facility. Despite hundreds of thousands of signatories on a petition to stop the TMT, and thousands subjecting themselves to physical risk and prosecution, the promoters persist without the support of the rightful owners and beneficiaries of the land.
Filming with Aloha
By Cory Harden | Reading Time: 2 minutes
Hawaiʻi Island has seen serious impacts from inadequate government oversight of filmmakers who have little knowledge of the land or culture, and who are working under deadlines and financial pressure. Filming can spread invasive species, displace sensitive species, and damage habitat, causing irrevocable harm — all to produce and disseminate products that are often completely out of sync with Hawaiʻi’s land and culture.
A few months ago, with inadequate warning, “Love Island” filmmakers started running trucks through Nīnole, starting at 5 AM. By day, their bullhorns blared, dozens of vehicles honked their horns, loud cheers rang out, and helicopters buzzed overhead. And all night, lights were left burning, possibly disorienting seabirds. Neighbors couldn’t sleep. One had to take sick days because of stress. Another neighbor estimated the trucks did $20,000 worth of damage to his road.
Back in the 1990s, during the “Wind on Water” TV series, beaches and nearshore waters were off-limits to the public for much of the filming. Special Management Area shoreline protection rules were flouted. View planes were dramatically changed due to excessive lighting and paraphernalia on the set that was so imposing it could be seen over a mile away. Sierra Club member Janice Palma-Glennie observed, “DOBOR [Divison of Boating and Recreation] seemed more like it was guarding NBC than monitoring them. There was at least one DOBOR employee employed by NBC during the filming to control the public, not vice-versa.”
Also in the 1990s, during filming of “Waterworld,” a structure sank in Kawaihae Harbor, impacting aquatic life.
Officials are unclear about how much money film-making puts into Hawaiʻi Island’s economy and whether any penalties whatsoever can be imposed on problematic filmmakers after they leave the island.
We expect to see the topic of film-making on an upcoming County Council agenda. When it does, please urge Council members to require a bond or deposit from filmmakers. This would help cover any damage to the natural or built environment and motivate filmmakers to film with aloha.
Maui Group
Join Us for Our Upcoming Outings Leader Training!
Join our free training session to become a hike leader with Sierra Club! We will meet at 10am on Saturday, December 11 to go over how to select, scout, plan, publicize and lead outings in Maui County, with a focus on safety and sharing our love for our natural and cultural environment.
To sign up, send an email to outings@mauisierraclub.org.