Mauna Kea: Where the Cosmos Meet Settler Colonialism

Presenter Information

Maria Encinosa

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Brandi Denison

Faculty Sponsor College

College of Arts and Sciences

Faculty Sponsor Department

Religious Studies

Location

SOARS Virtual Conference

Presentation Website

https://unfsoars.domains.unf.edu/2021/posters/mauna-kea-where-the-cosmos-meet-settler-colonialism/

Keywords

SOARS (Conference) (2021 : University of North Florida) – Archives; SOARS (Conference) (2021 : University of North Florida) – Posters; University of North Florida -- Students -- Research – Posters; University of North Florida. Office of Undergraduate Research; University of North Florida. Graduate School; College students – Research -- Florida – Jacksonville – Posters; University of North Florida – Undergraduates -- Research – Posters; University of North Florida. Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies; International Research Symposium Exhibitor; Honorable Mention Award

Abstract

International Research Symposium Exhibitor and Honorable Mention Abstract:

The proposed construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on Mauna Kea has sparked protests given the sacredness of the mountain to the Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians). The narratives that have arisen reignite familiar tropes, framing the conflict as one between indigenous religion and scientific progress. I deconstruct these narratives through an analysis of TMT International Observatory (TIO) affiliated websites paired with insights from secondary sources. Ultimately, I argue the TIO’s response and presentation of Ho’Omana Hawai’i religious views and ‘modern’ astronomy as antagonists extend settler-colonialist interests.

Rights Statement

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/