NASA is preparing an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) to determine the potential impacts of building up to 6 new telescopes on the sacred summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawai’i. Mauna Kea is perhaps the most sacred site to Native Hawaiians. The volcanic peak serves as the zenith of the Hawaiian people’s ancestral connection to the spirit of creation. The deadline for written comments is February 16, 2004. Comments can be provided in writing or electronically to:

Office of Space Science Code SZ

NASA Headquarters

300 E Street, SW

Washington D.C. 20546-0001

otpeis@nasa.gov (please cc: kahea-alliance@hawaii.rr.com)

For more information: KAHEA, The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance.