Mililani Trask Speaks Out on Mauna Kea: A Call to Protect Sacred Lands
The battle to protect Mauna Kea has been ongoing for years, igniting passions and inspiring communities throughout Hawaii and beyond. One of the key voices in this fight is Mililani Trask, a respected leader within the Native Hawaiian community and Hawaiʻi Island Trustee for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. In a powerful video, originally posted by BITV Hawaii two years ago, Trask takes a stand during a public scoping meeting in Hilo, calling for the protection of Mauna Kea from further desecration through the expansion of telescope projects.
At the heart of this fight lies the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), a project that has sparked intense debate and protest. The National Science Foundation’s Environmental Impact Statement regarding its potential investment in the TMT project has drawn sharp criticism from Native Hawaiian leaders, including Trask. For the Native Hawaiian people, Mauna Kea is more than just a mountain—it is sacred land, woven into the very fabric of their cultural and spiritual identity.
Years of Neglect and Resistance
During her speech, Mililani Trask vividly recounts years of Native Hawaiian resistance against the desecration of Mauna Kea. She reflects on how the people have not only had to fight against the construction of new telescopes but also the ongoing neglect of the mountain by its operators. Trask points out that while developers pushed forward with projects, the Native Hawaiian community, alongside organizations like the Sierra Club, were left to care for the land. Their efforts led to the removal of 13 tons of trash that had accumulated over the years—an oversight she attributes to the operators of the existing telescopes and the local government.
Trask’s words are a reminder of the deep and painful history of land exploitation in Hawaii. Her recounting of the arrest of 36 kupuna (elders), who peacefully stood in opposition to the construction, further illustrates the resilience of Native Hawaiians in the face of continued threats to their sacred lands. Despite the arrests, their commitment to protecting Mauna Kea never wavered, and their actions have galvanized global support for the movement.
A Sacred Duty
For many in Hawaii, the movement to protect Mauna Kea is more than just a political stance—it is a sacred duty. The land holds ancestral significance, and its desecration is seen as a deep violation of that connection. Trask’s powerful message serves as a call for solidarity and action, urging people to stand with Native Hawaiians in their fight to protect not just Mauna Kea, but all sacred lands that are under threat.
At Support Local Hawaii, we believe in amplifying the voices of those working tirelessly to preserve the cultural heritage of Hawaii. Mililani Trask’s call to action is a potent reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by Native Hawaiians and the importance of standing together to ensure that future generations can honor and protect these sacred spaces.
For more stories about the movement to protect Hawaii’s sacred lands and cultural heritage, visit our blog. You can watch the full video of Mililani Trask’s passionate defense of Mauna Kea here.
Aloha, mālama ʻāina.
