Mauna Kea
astronomers would
give up space for
better tools

A plan sets new limits but
several Hawaiians protest
further development

By Rod Thompson
Star-Bulletin

HILO -- Astronomy on Mauna Kea will be allowed to grow, but with limits, according to a plan outlined to the University of Hawaii Board of Regents yesterday.

Agencies controlling the growth would be based on the Big Island rather than on Oahu as in the past, says the proposed Mauna Kea Science Reserve Master Plan.

That wasn't enough to satisfy several native Hawaiians testifying to the regents yesterday.

"What we want is no more development," said former regent Wayne Panoke.

Some financial payments should also be made to Hawaiians, he said.

But astronomer Andrew Pickles said, "Astronomy is not responsible for most of the social divisions that now exist." The plan addresses most concerns, he said.

The plan was the fourth draft developed since the planning process began in May, 1998.

Astronomical development at the top of Mauna Kea has been governed by a 1983 plan which was intended to last until 2000.

Under that plan, the university holds a lease on 11,288 acres on Mauna Kea, but only 160 acres were designated for astronomy.

The new plan would reduce the astronomy area to 150 acres, said consultant Francis Oda of Group 70 International, which prepared the plan. The actual "footprint" of facilities would grow from 30 acres to 45 acres.

The plan proposes:

Four new telescopes, including a Next Generation Large Telescope with a mirror up to 165 feet in diameter.

Expansion of 2 telescopes: Keck and the Smithsonian radio telescope array.

"Recycling" of 5 sites by replacing existing instruments with larger ones.

A "no-build line" would eliminate some proposals, such as a facility with 40 radio telescope dishes.

Facilities would be painted earth colors so as to be barely visible from Hilo and Waimea.

All current non-astronomy activities would continue, including religious and recreational uses. But access would be "managed," meaning people would be warned of possible dangers from weather or high altitude, Oda said.

A new management organization would operate from the office of the UH-Hilo chancellor, the plan says.

Management would be assisted by a citizens advisory board, a kahu/kupuna advisory committee (of Hawaiian religious leaders and elders), and a professional design review committee.