TMT Oral Arguments Set

Oral arguments will be heard on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017 in Hilo, in the Contested Case Hearing for the Thirty Meter Telescope, located at the Mauna Kea Science Reserve on Hawai‘i Island.

Artist’s interpretation of the TMT on Mauna Kea. Image courtesy tmt.org.

On Wednesday, Retired Circuit Court Judge Riki May Amano, who is serving as a hearings officer in the contested case presented the sate Board of Land and Natural Resources with recommendations saying the Thirty Meter Telescope project should be granted a permit to proceed with construction.

State officials with the Department of Land and Natural Resources say the recommendations serve as the “proposal for decision” by the BLNR.  Parties to the contested case may file exceptions to retired Judge Riki May Amano no later than August 21, 2017 at 4 p.m.

During the BLNR hearing, each party to the case will have 15 minutes to present oral arguments. The BLNR may elect to ask questions after each party has completed argument, but that time will not count toward the 15 minute total. There are a total of 23 parties to the case.

The oral arguments will be heard at the Grand Naniloa Hotel Crown Room, 93 Banyan Drive in Hilo.

A live streaming of the proceedings will be provided by Nāleo Community Television.

Opponents meantime, expressed disappointment at the recommendation and have maintained that further development atop the summit would desecrate an area considered sacred.

TMT Executive Director Ed Stone said he looks forward to the next steps and welcomes the recommendation that a state permit be issued.

Governor David Ige this week said regardless of the BLNR’s ultimate decision, he supports the co-existence of astronomy and culture on Mauna Kea along with better management of the mountain.