In honor of the on-going efforts to protect the sacred Hawaiian mountain Mauna Kea from desecration, Jason Momoa has said that he can’t film Aquaman 2. Aquaman, which grossed $1 B+ worldwide, solidified the Hawaiian-born actor’s mega-star status after having become a household name on HBO’s Game Of Thrones. Aquaman 2 is in development but Momoa says he can’t film because he was “run over by a bulldozer” protecting the sacred land which is the site slated for an 8 story monstrosity called the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). It’s understood that Momoa was not literally run over. His statement indicates the idea that He IS Mauna Kea, which follows the hashtag people are using in social media posts protesting the TMT “#WeAreMaunaKea”. Indigenous people are connected to their lands and, when those lands are considered sacred, they are no less holy than magnificently constructed cathedrals, temples, or mosques.
Momoa is one of many people, indigenous and otherwise, who oppose the building of TMT atop the sacred mountain of Mauna Kea. Construction permits originally approved in 2009 were later invalidated by Hawaiian officials at which point the corporation intent on destroying the holy sanctuary in the name of science resubmitted their application. The current construction permits were approved in October of 2018. Mauna Kea stands approximately 33,000 feet tall from its base deep under the Pacific Ocean and was chosen as one of 6 sites that might be optimal for the massive telescope. Due to its low humidity and clear skies, Mauna Kea has more than a few ideal Astronomical research conditions. It has been made clear that no one opposing the destruction of Mauna Kea disregards the pursuit of science TMT represents, just that this location is the wrong place for it. A scientifically equally comparable site in Chile was found but after analysis, it was found to be more cost-effective to build at Mauna Kea. Science is a noble pursuit. Life on Earth is benefitted by information acquired through space research but the Earth itself cannot be disregarded to attain knowledge. Money cannot buy us another Mauna Kea.
