Builders of the Thirty Meter Telescope are fighting an uphill battle, so to speak. They have been halted from continuing with the construction of the $1.4 billion project, on a portion of the Big Island Mountain, following a ruling by the Hawaii Supreme Court.
According to the Honolulu Star Advertiser, opponents are happy for their victory and are calling for immediate removal by the builders to remove all of their equipment.
However, the state attorney general’s office plans to continue the fight against the plaintiffs, stating that the equipment does not violate any ruling since the builders have a sublease with the University of Hawaii for part of the land associated with the Big Island Mountain.
Attorney General spokesman Joshua Wisch argued the builders are not encroaching on conservation land and would not need permits or face penalties. If the builders decide to fight it out, it could take years before a settlement is reached.
Several opponents to the project are now facing legal issues related to blocking construction crews from entering the The Big Island Mountain site. This while others are celebrating what they call a victory. One strong proponent of the project, Big Island farmer Richard Ha, hopes the group will continue to fight for the giant telescope in the interest of economic and educational opportunities.
Meanwhile, some have suggested that the governor’s office get involved in asking the court to dismiss the prosecution charge. However, a spokesman for the governor said that is very unlikely to happen because it would be interfering with the judicial process.