About this video

• Video Title: PPT: Hoʻomana Hawaiʻi Mau a Mau - Challenges & Threats
• Channel: Noah (Keola) Ryan
• Speakers: Noah (Keola) Ryan
• Duration: 59:22

Overview

This video lecture discusses the concept of "Hoʻomana Hawaiʻi Mau a Mau," which translates to the religious continuity of indigenous traditions, focusing on traditional Hawaiian religion and spirituality. It explores the challenges and threats faced by these traditions, particularly in relation to the Mount Mauna Kea issue, environmental concerns, and legal battles surrounding development.

Key takeaways

• Continuity of Hawaiian Spirituality: Despite the discontinuation of the traditional kapu system, many aspects of Hawaiian spirituality have persisted through generations and continue to be practiced today.
• The Sacredness of 'Āina: The land ('āina) is central to Hawaiian spirituality, representing not just a physical resource but an entire belief system and religion, deeply connecting indigenous Hawaiians to their ancestral lands and natural environment.
• Mount Mauna Kea as a Focal Point: The conflict over the development of telescopes on Mount Mauna Kea exemplifies the challenges faced by traditional Hawaiian religious practices and the environment due to external development.
• Legal and Management Issues: The management of Mauna Kea involves complex legal battles concerning jurisdiction over "ceded lands," violations of historic preservation and conservation laws, and a history of controversial permits and land use.
• Environmental Significance: Mauna Kea is ecologically unique, home to endemic species, and a vital source of freshwater, making its preservation crucial.
• Cultural and Spiritual Importance: The mountain is a sacred space, considered the highest point in Polynesia, connecting the physical and spiritual realms and housing numerous cultural and religious sites.
• Historical and Ongoing Conflicts: The video details the history of telescope construction on Mauna Kea, the legal maneuverings that legitimized development, and the ongoing protests and movements like "We Are Mauna Kea" and "Kukiaʻimauna."
• Racism and Ignorance in Astronomy Community: The lecture highlights instances of racist rhetoric and ignorance from individuals within the astronomy community towards Native Hawaiians who oppose development on Mauna Kea, creating a significant trust issue.
• Shifting Management and Future Uncertainty: A new Mauna Kea Stewardship Oversight Authority has been established to manage the mountain, but its effectiveness and the future of development, particularly the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), remain uncertain due to funding issues and ongoing legal challenges.

The video explains that indigenous Hawaiian spiritual traditions, like the one discussed, involve deities and elemental forces that are manifest through 'āina (land). This suggests a profound connection and reverence for the natural environment, where natural elements are seen as expressions of spiritual or divine forces. The speaker emphasizes that for indigenous peoples, understanding their connection to ancestral lands is key to understanding their beliefs and the challenges they face.

The video mentions Wākea as a deity associated with the sky and heavens. It also states that Mauna Kea is considered sacred space because it represents multiple deities. While other deities are implied to be associated with Mauna Kea, and various heiau (temples) are mentioned in relation to the mountain, the transcript does not explicitly name four main male akua, detail the specific roles of other deities beyond Wākea, or list the kinolau (physical forms) associated with them.

The transcript outlines three main reasons why advocates support the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project:

1. Advancement of Science: Supporters argue that the TMT will significantly advance scientific knowledge, lead to more discoveries, and foster advancements in technology.
2. Economic Benefits: The project is expected to create jobs and stimulate the economy, as well as support STEM programs across the islands.
3. Ideal Location for Astronomy: Mauna Kea is considered an unparalleled location for observatories globally due to its high altitude, stable atmosphere, and lack of light pollution, offering ideal viewing conditions for the heavens.

Based on the transcript, here are three main reasons why activists oppose the TMT:

1. Desecration of Sacred Site: Mauna Kea is considered a sacred and culturally significant site in Native Hawaiian tradition. The construction of the massive TMT, which would be 18 stories tall and have a footprint of over 5 acres, is seen as a desecration of this sacred space.
2. Historical Mismanagement and Mistrust: There is a history of irresponsible management of Mauna Kea by the University of Hawaii, which has eroded trust within the Native Hawaiian community. Past actions, including building telescopes without permits and inadequate protection of cultural and natural resources, fuel this opposition.
3. Legal and Jurisdictional Issues: Activists argue that the legal jurisdiction over Mauna Kea is contested, as it is considered "ceded land" that was illegally acquired by the U.S. They believe the state and University of Hawaii do not have the rightful authority to permit such development. Furthermore, the construction of telescopes has been seen to violate historic preservation laws and conservation land use objectives.

The Mauna Kea Stewardship Oversight Authority is a new managing entity for Mauna Kea established by a law passed in 2022.

It was created to:

• Remove the University of Hawaii as the sole managing authority.
• Establish an 11-member board with diverse expertise and backgrounds from the community.
• Develop a new management plan for the mountain.
• Create space for educational outreach.
• Manage all lease agreements with the astronomy community.

The transcript does not explicitly state that the authority has helped ease tension between both sides. Instead, it mentions that the board members include representatives from the Native Hawaiian community (including leaders of protests) and astronomers, suggesting an attempt at shared governance. However, it also notes that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) has filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Mauna Kea Authority, concerned that it might prevent accountability for past wrongs. Therefore, the impact of the authority on easing tension is presented as ongoing and potentially contested.

The current status of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project, as described in the transcript, is that it is in limbo.

This is primarily because the National Science Foundation (NSF) will not advance the TMT to the final design phase or provide additional funding. This decision is linked to budget cuts and programmatic changes within the NSF. While the NSF is continuing to fund the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile, they are halting further commitment to the TMT for now. This means that without NSF funding, the TMT's construction is effectively stalled, though the international consortium supporting it may still seek to move forward.

The most recent development that has put the TMT project into indefinite jeopardy is the National Science Foundation's (NSF) decision not to advance the TMT to the final design phase or commit additional funds. This decision is a consequence of significant budget reductions and programmatic changes within the NSF under the Trump administration. While another telescope project (the Giant Magellan Telescope) will continue to receive NSF funding, the TMT's funding from the NSF has been halted. This lack of NSF commitment leaves the TMT's future uncertain.

The transcript mentions heiau as cultural and spiritual sites on Mount Mauna Kea. It notes that there are numerous heiau on the mountain, and it distinguishes between those erected post-contact (after Captain Cook's arrival, in the 1800s and 1900s) and those that are pre-contact (dating back further in time). These sites are described as shrines and little temples, indicating their importance for spiritual practices and cultural continuity.