#TMT

University of Hawai‘i Maui College Associate Professor Dr. Joseph Keola Donaghy documents and explores the role that musical performance and composition practice played in efforts to defend Maunakea and how these practices reflected the idea of kapu aloha that was prevalent among kia‘i (protectors).

The Hawaiian rights group, Kākoʻo Haleakalā, is calling for the removal of “all telescopes” from both Haleakalā on Maui and Maunakea on Hawaiʻi Island. This comes following recent reports of a 700 gallon diesel fuel spill at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex near the summit of Haleakalā.

Governor David Ige and leadership from the State Senate and House of Representatives have extended the application deadline for the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority to Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. The original application deadline was July 28.

Since TMT filed a Notice of Cessation, it will not be allowed to conduct further construction work unless a new permit is issued.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources entered orders today indicating it will rule on a petition for declaratory orders from parties from the 2016-17 Thirty-Meter Telescope permit contested case.

The governor predicted that Hawaiʻi will be one of the first states to provide in-state testing.

Gov. David Ige is heading to Japan on Saturday for a series of meetings to promote and expand travel to Hawai‘i, and make access easier through pre-clearance flights from Japan to Hawai‘i and the US.

Hawaiʻi County Mayor Harry Kim announced today, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, that the Mauna Kea Access Road is temporarily closed to the public “as the road is being cleared to make it completely accessible to the public.”

Governor David Ige announced the state will be withdrawing personnel from Maunakea Access Road on Hawaiʻi Island where a demonstration against the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope has been ongoing for more than five months.

Supporters of the ongoing demonstration at Maunakea collected winter gear for kupuna and kiaʻi during a drive held over the weekend in Kahului.  

A gathering is planned on Maui on Sunday afternoon to mark the 100th Day or “Lā 100” of the presence of “protectors” at Maunakea on Hawaiʻi Island.

The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents will decide on proposed administrative rules for managing land on Maunakea next month at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. 

Opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope say the project would desecrate sacred land, while supporters say it would bring research and economic opportunities.

University of Hawai’i Board of Regents chair Benjamin Kudo is urging both sides of the controversy surrounding the Thirty Meter Telescope project to “work in the spirit of ALOHA to find solutions that move Hawai’i forward.”

University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner today issued a statement denouncing recent comments made by a faculty member about Kamehameha Schools.

Leaders of the demonstration on Maunakea produced a new video on Tuesday, detailing allegations of what they claim is law enforcement misconduct.

Governor David Ige called a news conference at the State Capitol on Friday to discuss the ongoing conflict at Maunakea and to dispel what state officials are calling “false narratives.” Meantime, leaders of the movement maintain that their efforts are “rooted in Kapu Aloha,” “peace,” and “non-violence.”

The video spells out the counter argument: “If DLNR and DHHL truly care about mālama ʻāina, maybe they would stop the TMT project that would: excavate 64,000 cubic yards of earth and destroy six acres of pristine alpine desert habitat.  That’s a lot more damage than cleaned shoes traveling along trails.”

Maui police issued a total of eight traffic citations during a Mauna Convoy at Kahului Airport on Monday afternoon.

Police say the traffic alert was issued due to the potential for a planned protest convoy from Lahaina to the Kahului Airport beginning at 1 p.m. today (Monday, Sept. 9, 2019).