Lecture Seven

What is the cultural significance of Mauna Kea for Indigenous peoples?

What is the cultural significance of Mauna Kea for Indigenous peoples?

Mauna Kea is considered a sacred space, interconnected with relationships, obligations, and cultural values, particularly in Hawaiian culture.

What does the concept of personhood in relation to the environment signify in Oceania?

In Oceania, the environment is viewed as having personhood, indicating that places are intimately connected with human identity and experience.

What is TMT and why is it controversial?

The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is proposed as the largest telescope in the world at Mauna Kea; it is controversial due to the disregard for Indigenous rights and the sacredness of the site.

How do Indigenous perspectives challenge traditional notions of science?

Indigenous perspectives argue that the separation of science and culture is misguided, advocating for the integration of Indigenous voices and rights in scientific discourse.

What is the main argument against the TMT project located on Mauna Kea?

The project overlooks Indigenous rights and sacred relationships to the land, framing the conflict as a struggle between mainstream astronomy and Indigenous sovereignty.

How do health and environmental perspectives differ between Western views and those in Oceania?

In Western views, there is often a rigid distinction between individual biological health and environmental health; in Oceania, health and the environment are interconnected.

What outcome does Uahikea Maile suggest should be pursued regarding the TMT?

Uahikea Maile suggests that decommissioning the telescope would be a way to show grace towards Indigenous peoples and their rights.

Why is the distinction between 'culture' and 'science' problematic in the context of Mauna Kea?

This distinction risks alienating Indigenous perspectives and dismissing the sacred significance of cultural explanations related to the land and environment.

What are some key zones identified in Mauna Kea?

Mauna Kea has three zones: agriculture, forested flanks, and upper alpine zone, all of which have cultural significance.

What does the summary suggest about Native Hawaiians and science?

Native Hawaiians are not anti-science; rather, the issue lies in the conflict between mainstream scientific interests and Indigenous rights.