While astronomers celebrate the addition of another telescope to their prized star-gazing summit in Hawaii, environmentalists and natives mourn the loss of their beloved mountain. Representatives from Harvard, UC-Berkeley, the National Astronomical Observatory and the University of Hawaii showed up for the fun. With proud and solemn testimonials they unveiled the Gemini Telescope, the latest big observatory on the planet's premier place to stargaze. The triumphal gathering belied a feud that has erupted over how Mauna Kea is to be managed in the new millennium. The Sierra Club and native Hawaiian groups did not attend the June 25 event.
Environmentalists say star-struck scientists are trampling fragile ecosystems.
Native Hawaiians say the astronomers who run the mountaintop are desecrating a profoundly sacred place. For their part, the astronomers admit some guilt in not listening to concerns, but also claim they have been blindsided with criticism of projects that were approved and started a decade ago. Hanging in the balance is control of the planet's most important astronomical real estate. That's not right. And that mountain is so sacred.