Community group urges OHA to fund legal fight against new Haleakalā telescope and military harm

Speakers representing Kilakila Kūpuna told trustees they have a long record of opposing new telescopes and military infrastructure on Haleakalā and asked OHA to support litigation or legal advocacy to halt the proposed project.

Mikahala Helm, speaking for Kilakila, recounted community opposition beginning with public testimony and litigation in 2006 over the ATST/Daniel K. Inouye telescope and said the same concerns have resurfaced with a new proposal she described as additional militarization and desecration of the summit. "For 20 years the community and a few people of our community have shouldered this kamaʻāina legal work," Helm said, urging the board to use trust resources to help shoulder legal costs.

She and other presenters cited environmental harms, endangered species concerns, cumulative impacts from existing observatories, violations of conservation-district protections, and effects on Native Hawaiian cultural practices. Kilakila noted strong public turnout at scoping meetings and a unanimous county council vote opposing construction, and asked OHA to fund or support renewed legal action.

Trustees thanked the presenters and said they would consider the community appeals as they continue coordinated engagement on military-leased lands and other stewardship matters. There was no board decision on direct legal funding recorded at the meeting; community members asked that OHA use its research, legal and advocacy resources to support litigation or formal challenges if appropriate.