The story of Mauna Kea is a story about science and culture, yes. But it’s also about land and power. About who gets to say what’s sacred and what’s not. About the way Hawaiians, scientists, and humans in general, search for meaning.

It’s also about our changing understanding of the universe. And competing visions for the future of our country — and our planet.

The story of Mauna Kea is also a story that is playing out in many other areas of the country. At Standing Rock where the Sioux tribe is fighting development. In Arizona, where the Apache Indians already fought a telescope battle of their own and now are trying to stop a mining company that wants to operate on their land.

Their mountains — their Mauna Keas — have changed people too.