Mauna Kea & UCSC
As the central coordinator for the UC’s involvement in the TMT, UC Santa Cruz maintains a special and extractive, exploitative relationship with Mauna Kea. Because of its high visibility, 13 telescopes sit at the summit of Mauna Kea. Among them are UCSC’s twin telescopes inside the Keck Observatory.
However, ignoring multiple student calls to divest over many years, the UC continues to fund the project.
Hands Off Mauna Kea: Tell the University of California to Back Off
The University of California is one of the universities involved in the development and production of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project set to be constructed on Mauna Kea. However, these terrible plans were set into motion without consulting Kānaka Maoli, the Native Hawaiian people, and in arrogant violation of the life-sustaining principle of aloha ʻāina, the sacred relationality of the people to the land.
The Kānaka Maoli message has been steady and clear: Mauna Kea is sacred. The University of California has an obligation not to repeat the violent and ugly history of scientific colonialism and must heed the voices of Indigenous peoples.
How Can We Help?
- Sign our letter to the Regents and tell the University of California to back off and back out!
- Learn more about Mauna Kea and the work that Kānaka Maoli are doing to protect it further below on this page.
- Spread the word! Every share counts.
Mauna Kea Fact Sheet
What’s going on? Why protect Mauna Kea? See the fact sheet from Mauna Kea Education & Awareness for more info on Mauna Kea’s importance and significance in Hawai’i.
Standing with Mauna Kea
Say no to the TMT and make your voice known! Sign and share the petition below to help stop the construction of the TMT.
Mauna Kea Education & Awareness | Website
Additional Resources
Standing Above the Clouds | Documentary
Native Hawaiian mother-daughter activists stand to protect their sacred mountain Mauna Kea from the building of the world’s largest telescope. Watch here.
UCSC’s Footprint on Mauna Kea is a Lasting Legacy of Colonialism | City on a Hill Press Editorial
As the central coordinator for the UC’s involvement in the TMT, UCSC maintains a special relationship with Mauna Kea.
The Story of Mauna a Wākea
This traditional account is associated with Mauna a Wākea, now known as Mauna Kea, and Poliʻahu, the goddess of snow. The story begins with Poliʻahu, who lives on the top of Mauna a Wākea.
Mauna Kea Education & Awareness | Website
MKEA is dedicated to providing support for the protection of Mauna Kea through providing up to date resources to assist in preparing the kiaʻi, protectors and their supporters to engage in legislation, court proceedings and spiritually led, culturally grounded front line actions.