Aloha Mai Kākou, 

We, the undersigned are writing in our capacity as Filipinx scholars, activists, educators, artists,  health-workers, human rights defenders and organizers across Ka Pae ‘Āina o Hawaiʻi, the Marianas, Turtle Island, and the Philippine archipelago. We express our solidarity with the kia‘i (protectors) of Mauna a Wākea and join in our opposition to the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project. 

The Philippines and Hawai‘i are inextricably connected, not only by our ocean, but by our histories of colonization and long lineage of movements for self-determination. In 1893, the Hawaiian Kingdom was illegally overthrown by Euro-American businessmen backed by U.S. marines from the USS Boston. In 1898, the same USS Boston participated in the capture of Manila.  One of the reasons Congress passed a joint resolution “annexing” Hawaiʻi was to use Pearl Harbor as a coaling and provisioning center for the "pacification" of the Philippines in the Philippine-American war.  We understand that supporting sovereignty for Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) here, requires us to support the sovereignty of our motherland, and vice versa.  Our islands are connected. Our struggles are connected. So is our ea. None of us are free until all of us are free.

We affirm the long sustained lineage of Indigenous land protectors and allies everywhere who continue to assert their human rights to defend their sacred ancestral places and safeguard water, land, and natural resources. We are humbled by their tremendous courage and great personal sacrifice so that Hawai‘i’s well-being and sustainability are ensured for generations to come. In the days and months ahead, we offer solidarity, witness, and mutual aid in response. We are watching and standing with you.    

As many kiaʻi have shared, Mauna a Wākea is a wao akua (place of the gods). It is a piko (genealogical and spiritual center) which sustains life for all living beings on Hawaiʻi Island. It is also an aquifer that is the primary source of freshwater on the island. Building an 18-story structure, with two 5,000-gallon underground waste tanks into the mauna would have adverse ecological consequences for this sacred landscape to which much of the island’s water is connected.  

We condemn the settler’s state decision to begin construction this July. We affirm the principles of free and prior informed consent. The powerful direct actions and demonstrations this week and in 2015 that physically halted construction clearly demonstrate that Kānaka Maoli have never given consent to building the TMT on Mauna a Wākea. We also point to the numerous world-wide petitions, global divestment projects, audits, and court cases, that indeed, show that the TMT harms cultural, historic, and environmental ecosystems. 

The over 20 kūpuna who were arrested on the front lines, the 6 kia'i who chained themselves to a cattle grate for over 13 hours, and the powerful direct actions and demonstrations this week and in 2015 that physically halted construction clearly demonstrate that Kānaka Maoli have never given consent to building the TMT on Mauna a Wākea. 

While the language of the governor and University of Hawai‘i administration gives a procedural and politically expedient nod to Mauna a Wākea as being sacred ‘ohana to Kānaka Maoli, we see by their actions and preparations that they are ready to deploy the National Guard and militarize the County of Hawai‘i Police Department and the Department of Land and Natural Resources. With the recent purchase of the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), also called the sound cannon, we are extremely alarmed that the LRAD may be used as a weapon to harm and disperse peaceful kia‘i. 

We denounce this tactic of excessive state force. The LRAD was used in 2017 when President Trump visited the Philippines during the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) reported then that the LRAD and water cannons injured a total of 123 protesters, while 20 others were also hurt during the dispersal on the day of Trump’s arrival. Injuries included head contusions, open head wounds, possible fractures, and bruises.  Water cannons and the LRAD were used as weapons against water protectors at Standing Rock and in other places of peaceful non-violent protests at Ferguson, the G20 Summit, and Occupy Wall Street.  

While Governor Ige has assured the public that LRAD would only be used for communication during natural disasters and has stated that Mauna Kea “is not Standing Rock,” we are fully aware of the other abusive patterns of extractive destruction and plunder on other Indigenous lands. Over and over again,  desecration is enabled when state police / military and private paramilitary forces are called in to protect private, international so-called profitable “development” interests and limit the rights to cultural practice and democratic spaces for free speech through sheer intimidation and state violence. In this vein, we see through the university’s appropriation of the Kānaka Maoli concept of Kapu Aloha to forward desecration of the Mauna. We reject settler colonial sciences, colonial violence, extraction and profit that comes at the expense of and disrespects Indigenous sciences and relationships to ancestral lands and waters.

We call for human rights and land defenders of the Philippine archipelago and the Filipinx diaspora in Hawai‘i and worldwide to stand with Mauna Kea! Together, in kapu aloha and with the collective spirit of bayanihan and timpuyog, we rise with reverence to honor what we love. We rise with the kia’i to protect the ‘āina that sustains us. A hiki i ke aloha ‘aina hope loa!  

Kū Kia‘i Mauna!

Learn more: (https://youtu.be/HMumZ-lnUvs (http://kanaeokana.net/10

Please consider signing this change.org petition to halt TMT construction: https://www.change.org/p/gordon-and-betty-moore-foundation-the-immediate-halt-to-the-construction-of-the-tmt-on-mauna-kea?recruiter=13457010&utm_source=share_sponsor_thank_you&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=share_twitter_responsive&utm_term=share_petition&recruited_by_id=5eaa6760-ceac-012f-b913-404067ca6a7a&fbclid=IwAR3CGND4jiyo4OK5CPr8c04QKWv3Y9DMzmLwjVg5gqWEc-WAZvjIxbdcFbU

Please consider supporting the protectors of Mauna Kea by donating to any of the following:

Kahea.org Aloha ‘Āina Support Fund: 
https://org.salsalabs.com/…/donate_…/aloha-aina-support-fund

Hawai’i Community Bail Fund: 
http://hawaiicommunitybailfund.org

Hawaii’s Finest Kū Kia’i Mauna T Shirt Fundraiser: https://www.hifinest.com/product/adult-mauna-pre-order-not-available-for-shipment-until-07-22/?fbclid=IwAR2mMT9uTn44TBCelizCK9Q0CIrO14snr8w1T-GqyFblGc-lMGQg_e9m8DY

Huli:  TINY.CC/HULI 

SIGNED: 
Decolonial Pin@ys: Decolonial Pin@ys is a group of diasporic Filipin@s in Hawaiʻi committed to demilitarization, decolonization, healing and creative liberation. We believe that Filipinos can tap into their lakas ng loob (inner strength) to build allyship for a free and independent Hawaiʻi.
Katherine Achacoso, PhD student, Department of American Studies at UHM, AAAS Asian Settler Colonialism Caucus Board Chair 
Grace Alvaro Caligtan 
Malaya Caligtan-Tran
Demiliza Sagaral Saramosing, PhD student, Department of American Studies at UMN, AAAS Asian Settler Colonialism Caucus Board Chair
Kim Compoc, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Vernadette Gonzalez, Associate Professor, Department of American Studies at UHM
Reyna Ramolete Hayashi, Esq.
Darlene Rodrigues, MDiv student, Claremont School of Theology
Dominic Arzadon 
Germaine Lindsay Juan
Dean Saranillio
Dr. Chris Lipat, DC
Laurel Flores Fantauzzo, Assistant Professor of English at UHM
Honielyn Felipe
Rhaven Kyle Vaquilar 
Josephine Ong, PhD student, Department of Gender Studies at UCLA, AAAS Asian Settler Colonialism Caucus Board Chair 
Kathleen Corpuz, MA & MPH student, UCLA
Cindy Aban 
Debra Andres Arellano, PhD student, UHM College of Education
Rebecca Maria Goldschmidt, MFA student, UHM Dept. of Art & Art History
Catherine Tagalicud Taylan, Ilokano Educator
Maiana Minahal, Assistant Professor, Kapi‘olani Community College 
Jesand Amodo 
Jacqueline Nguyen
Margie Remolacio
Sofia Lauren Matias
Arcelita Imasa
Ellen-Rae Cachola, Ph.D. 
Joyce Mariano
Janna Aguinaldo
Aeman Castro 
Roderick Labrador, Associate Professor, Department of Ethnic Studies at UHM
Victor Gregor Limon, Department of Urban & Regional Planning, UHM
Lyz Soto
Marie Antonette Anamong Ramos
Nicole Enos
Gabriela Ines Diaz
Martin Manalansan, Associate Professor of American Studies, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Adrian De Leon, Assistant Professor, University of Southern California
Joseph Ruanto-Ramirez, PhD student, Cultural Studies - American Studies, Claremont Graduate University; Co-Director of Igorots of California Project; Co-Director of Katutubo American Project
Isabel Miranda
Edward Nadurata, M.A., UCLA
Alma M.O. Trinidad, PhD, MSW, Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Portland State University
Leny Strobel, Professor Emeritus, American Multicultural Studies, Sonoma State University
Maria Karaan, PhD student, Department of English at UHM
Andrian Gajigan, PhD Student, UH Manoa Department of Oceanography
Jeanne Batallones, Faculty, Hawaiʻi Community College & EdD Student, UH Mānoa 
Anthony Arce
Feresa Cabrera, MS Student, UH Manoa Department of Botany
Crivir Ivee Guevara Cruz, MA, PhD Candidate, UHM College of Education
Rosie Abriam
Aileen Alfonso Duldulao, PhD, MSW, Research Scientist & Epidemiologist
Melisa S.L. Casumbal-Salazar, PhD, MA, MFA Student in Writing, UC-San Diego
Toni Marie Temehana Pasion
Paul Michael Leonardo Atienza, MA, PhD Candidate, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Valerie Francisco-Menchavez, Assistant Professor, San Francisco State University
Christian Gerard Gella
Ivan Bondoc, Department of Linguistics, UHM
John Paul Catungal, PhD, Assistant Professor, Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice, University of British Columbia
MT Vallarta, M.A., Ph.D. Candidate, Ethnic Studies, University of California, Riverside
Jessica Marcelo Gacuma, BS Human Development and Family Studies 
Todd Anderson, MS Student, UH Manoa Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences
Elena Clariza, Philippine Studies Librarian, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Nerissa S. Balce, Associate professor, SUNY Stony Brook
Adrian Alarilla, PhD Student, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Department of History
Stefanie Joy Lira, M.A., Ph.D. Candidate University of California, Irvine
Kristin Oberiano, History Ph.D. Candidate, Harvard University
Joy Sales, Postdoctoral Fellow, Washington University in St. Louis
Josen Masangkay Diaz, Assistant Professor, University of San Diego 
Michael J. Viola, Associate Professor, Saint Mary’s College of California
Vicente M. Diaz, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota
Crisenciano L. Pasquil M.A. UHM College Of Education
Johnny I. M. Verzon, Filipino who supports Hawaiian Sovereignty
Christine Bacareza Balance, Associate Professor, Cornell University 
Tressa P. Diaz, Assistant Professor, University of Guam
Jocelyn de Guia
Tracy Lachica Buenavista, Professor, California State University, Northridge
Gina Velasco, Assistant Professor, Gettysburg College
Armand Gutierrez, PhD Candidate, UC San Diego
Kevin Faller 
Lani Felicitas
Luann Vegafria Algoso 
Aprilei T.T. Ramirez, MPH
Yoko Liriano
Geneva Costales, M.S.C.P. - School Counseling student, Chaminade University of Honolulu
Tony Dorono
Mary K Ochs
Nic Santos, Guåhan/Guam
Nicolita Marie Sagun Garces
Rouel Velasco
Angelica Allen, PhD Candidate, University of Texas at Austin 
Amy Sojot, PhD Candidate, UHM College of Education
May Rose Dela Cruz, DrPH
Jayson Parba
Jordan Ragasa
Elarie Ranido
Sherwin Mendoza, Adjust Instructor, Intercultural Studies and English, De Anza College 
Celia Bardwell-Jones, PhD, Associate Professor, Philosophy, UH Hilo
Jessie A. Manapat, Academic Specialist/Support, Kapi‘olani Community College 
May Farrales, PhD
Melissa-Ann Nievera-Lozano, PhD, Faculty, Evergreen Valley College
Tony Santa Ana, De Anza College
Gabriel Torno
Camaron Mikio Jimenez Miyamoto, Director LGBTQ+ Center, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
John E. Manglona Jr.
Malia Michelle Ka’io, Coordinator Women’s Center, University of Hawai’i at Manoa
Franklin and April Bautista, Moku o Keawe Kama’aina
Tiffany Q. Pagtulingan, Electrical Engineer, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 13’ 
Agnes Respicio Malate