Hawaiians are protesting against plans to construct a new telescope with a very large mirror, which would advance our knowledge of the universe.

The idea that a place is "sacred" is an irrational sensitivity. It is good to cater to such sensitivities as long as that doesn't sacrifice something important -- such as the telescope.

The telescope should be built. However, removing obsolete structures and making those areas of land nice again does no harm, and doesn't involve sacrificing anything more than funds. Hawaii should make and carry out such a deal.