Additional facts from the Big Island

I was fortunate enough to stay with Greg, an astronomer at the renown Keck Observatory, while on the Big Island and learned quite a bit about the environmental/cultural concerns regarding the development of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT).  While not yet fully funded (more countries are needed to partner), the telescope could be completed as early as 2018 and is projected to be larger than all existing scopes on Mauna Kea.  Mauna Kea is an important ecological site as well as of cultural and spiritual significance.  Kahea: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance includes information about Mauna Kea.  While I see the concerns regarding TMT, I also see that Keck Observatory does everything possible (water is packed up, all waste [including liquid waste] is packed down the mountain) to minimize its footprint upon the land.  I further feel that the whole of the Hawaiian Islands should be scrutinized regarding development as sovereignty is sought and the resort communities leave a regrettably greater impact on areas of environmental, social, and cultural significance.

I am deeply concerned by continued efforts to limit new solar installation on the Islands as well.  Energy companies continue to lobby the State to prohibit new solar systems on the grounds that the grid could be "destabilized."  True: We need to update the grid to DC power and create adequate storage.  Doing so would improve stability and create jobs.  That said, it is the desire to avoid paying consumers for the electricity they produce, and not the stability of the grid, that is behind the efforts to prohibit new solar.

Last, but not least, consider the following from pg. 136 of "Big Island Revealed" regarding the 35,000 head of cattle kept on the Island by Parker Ranch:  "After being raised on sweet Hawaiian range grass for 5-6 months, most of the cattle are shipped by 747 to the mainland or by boat to Canada, then fattened in various areas before slaughter.  Ironically, cattle class on a 747 has more leg room than what you had in coach."  Huh...so many levels of wrongness here.  Discuss?!  Peace out, B.