How Mauna Kea is vital to Hawaiian health and wellbeing

Physicians, psychologists, scientists, public health professionals, educators and cultural practitioners from the Native Hawaiian community are calling the protection of Mauna Kea “vital” to the health and wellbeing of Native Hawaiians.

Below is the statement, signed by Drs. Keaweʻaimoku Kaholokula, Marjorie Mau, Winona Lee, Dee-Ann Carpenter, Martina Kamaka, Robin Miyamoto, Kāwika Mortensen, Alika Maunakea, Andrea Hermosura, and Tricia Mabellos, and Ms. Mele Look , Ms. Chessa Harris, Ms. Tiffnie Kakalia, Mr. Kamuela Werner, Ms. Shelley Soong, and Ms. Miala Leong.

The group includes members of the Department of Native Hawaiian Health in the John A. Burns School of Medicine of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa but state they are not making the statement in their capacity as faculty or staff of the university.

In 2003, the Department of Native Hawaiian Health was established at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Its mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiians) by increasing the cadre of Kānaka ʻŌiwi and other health professionals, and scientists working toward health equity for Kānaka ‘Ōiwi through healthcare services, scientific research and community engagement and empowerment. In meeting our mission, we embrace biomedical and behavioral sciences and Kānaka ʻŌiwi cultural knowledge and tradition. We value science and its potential in improving the lives of all people and we value our Kānaka ʻŌiwi culture and its offering of continuity and Mauli Ola (optimal and holistic health and wellbeing) for Kānaka ʻŌiwi.

The protection of Mauna Kea (aka, Mauna a Wākea) by concerned Kānaka ʻŌiwi is our ancestral kuleana (responsibility) to mālama ʻāina (land stewardship) and our means of ensuring Mauli Ola. Cultural protection and revitalization of historical and sacred places are important social and cultural determinants of Mauli Ola for Kānaka ʻŌiwi. They are as important to Mauli Ola as access to safe and well-resourced neighborhoods, excellent education, healthy food options, physical activity opportunities, and quality healthcare.

Coming from a tradition of seafarers and skilled navigators, who looked up to the heavens and night sky for knowledge and guidance, Kānaka ʻŌiwi can appreciate astronomy’s quest to understand the mysteries of the universe and our collective existence in, and connection to, this universe. Kānaka ʻŌiwi also appreciate and hold fast to cultural knowledge, traditions and wahi pana (scared places) that also explain our existence in, and connection to, this place we call Hawaiʻi.

In respect for both traditions, astronomy and Kānaka ʻŌiwi, the above members of the Department of Native Hawaiian Health calls for an extended moratorium until a balanced resolution—that ensures the protection of Mauna Kea—is achieved between the state entities involved and the astronomy and Kānaka ʻŌiwi community. And may it be done with the values of our ancestors as reflected in the following: ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi. All knowledge is not taught in the same school.