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Mauna Kea: Encounter with the indigenous people of Hawaii

intro_0317Since several years it belongs to our routines to drive to the summit of Mauna Kea, this magic and sacred mountain on the Big Island. You climb up round about 4200m from sea level, quite a demanding trip for your body and mind.
This year I didn’t want to choose the easy option of a vehicle but take the Humu’ula foot trail up to the summit, but about this adventure in my next post.

Last Friday, October 3, 2014, a plan by California and Canadian universities to build the world’s largest telescope at the summit of Hawaii’s Mauna Kea volcano won approval from the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. The decision clears the way for the group managing the Thirty Meter Telescope project to negotiate a sublease for land with the University of Hawaii.

Ahead to left the sacred grounds where the observatory should get built.
Ahead to left the sacred grounds where the observatory should get built.

 

Despite the serious occasion nobody was aggressive, not even tensed.
Despite the serious occasion nobody was aggressive, not even tensed.

 

Some native Hawaiian groups had petitioned against the project. For Hawaiians the mountain is sacred and so is high altitude. In their tradition high altitudes are a gateway to heaven. In the past, only high chiefs and priests were allowed at Mauna Kea’s summit. The mountain is home to one confirmed burial site and perhaps four more.

The impressing face of a true Hawaiian you rarely see downtown Kailua.
The impressing face of a true Hawaiian you rarely see downtown Kailua.

 

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People silently protest against the construction of the world’s largest observatory.

 

No money in the world can outweigh the value of this ground.
No money in the world can outweigh the value of this ground.

 

The beauty of Hawaiian tradition.
The beauty of Hawaiian tradition.

Yesterday the Hawaiian groups occupied the territory where the ground-breaking ceremony for the observatory should take place. They had barred the road for quite some time. But not only on this sacred place people had gathered, all the way up to Mauna Kea people silently expressed their protest against this enterprise. We ran right into this rally. It was very impressing to see how calm and friendly everything was, not a slight touch of aggression was in the air.

You felt the serious concern of the people who met there for the one cause, to preserve the sacred land.
You felt the serious concern of the people who met there for the one cause, to preserve the sacred land.

 

It was such a delighting and instructive encounter up there.
It was such a delighting and instructive encounter up there.

 

We saw an authenticity of the Island we never saw before.
We saw an authenticity of the Island we never saw before.

Unfortunately, we are not very optimistic that this enterprise will be stopped. Maybe we shall be surprised one day, hopefully so. We are very grateful to have made this experience.

And then we left quietly and lost in thoughts.
And then we left quietly and lost in thoughts.

Coming on this Island you are usually so far away from its traditions and native people. The whole event is another proof for how far we Westerners are from nature and how disrupted is our respect for other peoples’ traditions and beliefs.

Susann

Susann

Susann is the biest prototype and head of the team. She is Austrian, has studied medicine, meaning she is a medical doctor and the Biesters' alpha wolf. Susann continuously produces new ideas, is strong in making concepts and is practically always ON FIRE. Without her BIESTMILCH wouldn't be where and what it is today, and anyway - not possible.

DaHana Ranch: horse riding remote from the noise and crowds in Kailua-Kona

Interview with two true Hawaiians right on top of Mauna Kea

3 Comments

  1. Why does our western rationale community spent billions and billions of $ for all those telescopes all over the world and in outer space? What do we learn? Does it give us a better future? No! it’s just for the satisfaction of a few so called scientists…

  2. The mauna looks like a used car lot-with telescopes not in use. Enough desecration. Money is the driving force behind all the desecration. I’personally, do not believe it is the right of man to see what Akua sees. Our people have used the stars to navigate, farm,many more things without the use of great telescopes. Perhaps our world is experiencing havoc and encountering the prophecy of the last days because man has become so arrogant to think they should see what Akua sees.

  3. I cannot agree more. This incident on Mauna Kea and walking up the mountain myself opened my eyes for your culture, so wise, so inspiring, thanks! We Westerners have no reason to be so arrogant, to learn humbleness and respect should be our aim…

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