Hawaii Gov. David Ige is well-known in the islands for his mild-mannered approach to controversy. We like to believe that’s because he’s an engineer and takes a deliberative approach, rather than the fiery political passion of other elected officials.

That demeanor holds no sway with the opinion writers 5,000 miles away who in a Sunday editorial rebuked him for being “far too withdrawn” in the clash between those who want to protect Mauna Kea from a 14th telescope and those who want to move ahead with the long-planned and approved scientific project.

The NYT ed board isn’t taking a stand on the development itself, just on Ige’s lack of leadership on it. The board wants him to “step up.”

“If he thinks the telescope is an important asset that promises great benefits to Hawaii’s residents and economy, not to mention to science and humanity at large, he should say so. If he thinks more needs to be done to protect the environment and native interests, he should say what that is and make it happen. His mild news releases urging more dialogue are not enough.”

A false-color composite near-infrared image of Jupiter taken by the Keck II telescope on Mauna Kea.

Courtesy W. M. Keck Observatory