The Peace For Okinawa Coalition's letter to Governor of Hawaii David Ige condemning his human rights violations

Dear Governor David Ige,


The Peace For Okinawa Coalition condemns your decision to proceed with the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on Mauna Kea, your obvious intention to use force against peaceful Hawaiian protestors, your blatant disrespect for indigenous rights, your destruction of sacred alters on Mauna Kea, your mobilization of police and soldiers against unarmed Hawaiians, and your appropriation of Hawaiian words and culture to suit your own purposes.

Although you claim to be of Okinawan heritage, the Peace For Okinawa Coalition wishes to make known that your actions are not at all representative of Okinawan values. What you are doing to Hawaiians on Mauna Kea is essentially the same as what Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan is doing to Okinawans at Henoko. Both cases are human rights violations and are entirely unacceptable.


Many Hawaiians have been strong supporters of Okinawan issues, including the protection of Henoko. Likewise, the Peace For Okinawa Coalition stands with our indigenous Hawaiian cousins in protecting our environment, our right to self-determination, and our sacred practices. We strongly urge you to immediately cancel all plans to build the TMT on Mauna Kea, issue an apology to Hawaiians, and engage in proper dialogue with Hawaiian leaders. The leadership of the Peace For Okinawa Coalition extends a formal offer to mediate between you and Hawaiian leaders in order to help repair the damage that has been done between yourself and indigenous communities, including Okinawans.


Thank you for your time and consideration.


Sincerely,




Robert Kajiwara
President
The Peace For Okinawa Coalition
Circulation: 200,000


BCC'd: Other interested parties.