Mauna Kea is considered a sacred temple for native Hawaiians, but today there are dozens of observatories at its summit. In 2019, a protest against an additional observatory led to the passage of a law in Hawaii that grants scientists and spiritual practitioners the right to voice their opinions on the future of the site. Over the past 50 years, 13 massive astronomical observatories have been installed at the summit of Mauna Kea. In 2019, native Hawaiians, including Pisyota, organized a year-long protest against the construction of an additional observatory.
Mauna Kea: A Sacred Temple
Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano that rises 14,000 feet. In native Hawaiian mythology, it is the eldest son of the heavenly father and the earthly mother. The mountain’s dry atmosphere and low light pollution make it an ideal location for studying the sky – one of the very few places in the world.
Searching for Answers in the Sky
John O’Meara, who moved to Hawaii to become the chief scientist at the Keck Observatory before the protests in 2019, points out the similarities between spirituality and astronomy. He says we ask similar fundamental questions: Where are we? Where did we come from? And where are we going? There is a deep connection to the universe … which is what we should focus on.
Cultural and Spiritual Struggle
Lanakila Mangauil, a native Hawaiian spiritual practitioner, believes that the sacred mountain should be protected from further human intervention, pollution, and erosion. He says that the spiritual practice of Hawaiians is not based on faith, but on knowledge. The snow goddess is the sister of Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and resident of the adjacent Mauna Loa. Lylino is the goddess of the mist. Waiʻao is the lord over the mountain’s aquifers. Waiʻao Lake, associated with the god Kani, is the place where some native Hawaiians bury the umbilical cords of their children. Its waters are collected and used for healing and rituals.
Finding a Path Through Dialogue
Shane Palakat-Nielsen believes that mutual understanding between the two communities will lead to the preservation of Mauna Kea and the sanctity of the summit. He hopes that people will become more aware of their impact on Mauna Kea, much like the legendary leader who visited the snow goddess. He feels grateful for his ancestors who preserved Mauna Kea so that current generations have the opportunity to experience the divine. He wonders if he can do the same for future generations.
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