TMT Mega Discussion Thread

Again, and I can't emphasize this enough, OHA (the Office of Hawaiian Affairs) is in place to represent the interests and look out for the well-being of native Hawaiians. The rest of the state looks out for the rest of the state's residents (and Gov Ige has said that the TMT is legally allowed to proceed), but the OHA is completely within its job description to rescind support for the TMT if the majority of the Hawaiian community is against it. You should also be aware that it's not a legally binding position so, again, the government is not giving the Hawaiian community the unilateral ability to stop the project. So, the state government is taking care of you, and the OHA is (possibly) fulfilling its role. If you can't differentiate those points, then you probably should learn more about the pieces in play before you jump into the conversation. To reiterate, what native Hawaiians or the OHA says is not the final word.

As for special ears to a certain culture, the fact is that the Hawaiians were here first and were displaced. As such, there should be special care for how the majority makes decisions that affect their lives--in fact, there are American constitutional protections for such things at the national level because of our history of displacing people, so unless you don't come from America, then you're wrong about being from a place where these protections are racist. However, I'm of the personal opinion that the interpretation used by the protesters is a modern development and does not fall under that constitutional protection, and a court of law has determined that's the case, and will probably determine again if challenged again. Indeed, I'm a vocal TMT supporter, and I think the whole of the anti-TMT argument is bunk. However, I also think that due process should be observed and that issues brought up by a majority of the minority (which I'm not convinced is the case here) should be given serious consideration.

Figuring out the best way forward for all parties involved is part of the baggage that comes with living here--call it another tax if you will--and if I were in their shoes, I would want these issues to be dealt with compassionately. That's why I try to frame my pro-TMT arguments in terms of Hawaiian culture and benefit directly to Hawaiians, so they can be co-builders instead of sacrifices for the greater good. And that's why the TMT administration took things slow, and has slowed down again to sort things out even though they have been told they are legally allowed to build.

the small, very vocalized group being listened to, by almost sheer definition and within the syntax of their arguments, would easily kick everyone not of their culture off the island and demanding reparations for the actions of another culture.

Trust me, I don't really like the sovereignty folks either. I think what's done is done, and that their influence has a divisive effect on the community which, IMHO, prevents Hawaiians from thriving in this new context. But if you're going to say they are a minority of Hawaiians (which I believe is the case), then it means you don't have a problem with most Hawaiians, so why punish them for the views of a minority within a minority, however vocal they are? In doing so, you just make it seem more like "the system" is against them and that they have something to gain by pushing for sovereignty and pushing out all the people that have turned them into a minority. If you're not willing to look for a middle ground, you make radicals out of the other side...and yourself.

/r/Hawaii Thread Parent