Hawaii Approves Construction Of Giant $1 Billion Telescope !!!

After years of legal battles, the Hawaii Supreme Court has approved the construction of a massive telescope on Mauna Kea. The $1 billion telescope, called the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), will be the largest and most expensive telescope in the Northern Hemisphere. Other scientific goals include the search for the first sources of light in the universe and the study of exoplanets. Operations are expected to begin in 2029, assuming construction begins next year. But the telescope has faced many different major obstacles and setbacks in the previous years. In 2015, the Hawaii Supreme Court overturned the construction permit after Native Hawaiians protested that the telescope site was sacred land. Despite the promise of an injection of money into the local economy and the fact that there are already 13 telescopes on Mauna Kea, the telescope consortium is forced to wait. In 2016, they thought of building a telescope in the Canary Islands. But now it looks like construction can begin. The decision to grant planning permission for the project was upheld by a -1 ruling, meaning work can begin for the first time since permission was revoked in 2015. "On behalf of the International TMT Observatory, we would like to express our gratitude to the Supreme Court of the State of Hawaii for its decision to allow the construction of the TMT on Mauna Kea," said Henry Yang, Chairman of the Board of Regents of Hawaii, in a statement. Press release. "We are grateful to all community members who provided thoughtful perspectives throughout this process. We remain committed to being good mountain stewards and inclusive of the Hawaiian community." The hearing required the testimony of 71 witnesses over days over five months and concluded in March 2017. The Norwegian Land Office approved the license on 28 September 2018, but opponents challenged it and take the case to the Supreme Court. "After careful consideration of the written submissions, the applicable law and the pleadings, and for the reasons set forth below, we now affirm the decision of the BLNR [Land and Natural Resources Board] authorizing the 'issuance of a Conservation Area Use Permit ("CDUP"). for the thirty-meter telescope," the court said in a statement. meters ("TMT"). Mauna Kea is a popular spot for observing the cosmos, as its high altitude and thin atmosphere allow for unobstructed views of the cosmos. But the case highlights the tensions surrounding construction in such a remote area, even though most Hawaiians approved of its construction. But the battle may not be over yet. According to the Associated Press, opponents plan to try to stop construction through "peaceful protests." Kahokahi Kanawha, a Native Hawaiian, said the protesters will return with messages of "humakokok" and "be ready or be prepared."

The battle might not be over yet, though. According to the Associated Press, opponents plan to try and halt construction with “non-violent protests”. One Native Hawaiian, Kahookahi Kanuha, said protestors would return to the site, with the message "hoomakaukau," or, get ready.