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Showing posts with the label community opposition

Community Outcry as Space Force Proposes New Telescopes in Sacred Hawaiian Lands

Native Hawaiians Push Back Against Space Force's Telescope Project on Haleakalā   The U.S. Space Force’s recent proposal to construct up to seven new telescopes on the summit of Haleakalā, a revered volcanic mountain on the Hawaiian island of Maui, has sparked significant opposition from the local community. This initiative, part of the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing Site Small Telescope Advanced Research (AMOS STAR) facility, aims to enhance satellite tracking and prevent orbital collisions. However, many native Hawaiians argue that the project disrespects sacred land and perpetuates historical injustices. The proposed AMOS STAR facility would encompass an optics lab and several telescope domes on an acre of land near the existing Haleakalā Observatory. Public scoping meetings held between May 13 and 15 allowed residents to voice their concerns as the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is drafted. These meetings highlighted the deep cultural and spiritual significance...