TMT Work to Resume Says Ige!

[opihikao]

FYI: Court is now pau for the day. Reports are starting to come out about the arguments and Justice's reactions. Seems to have been a rough day for some of the lawyers. No time frame on decision.

For example, comments from attendees:

Reporting from outside the Hawai'i Supreme Court, catching you up on today's proceedings. First up was Richard Naiwieha Wurdeman, attorney for Mauna Kea Hui in their case against BLNR and UH Hilo. He opened his argument explaining the importance of Mauna Kea.



Next in the Mauna Kea Hui vs BLNR and UH Hilo hearing, attorney Richard Naiwieha Wurdeman continued presenting the case for appeal. He stated multiple times that Mauna Kea has become an absolute mess, essentially an industrial center in a conservation district. "I would submit to court it is a situation that is out of hand." The appeal is based on the idea that BLNR granted the permit before hearing the contested case hearing, the failure to meet the 8 criteria required to get a permit in a conservation district, and the fact that no amount of scholarships etc can even out the environmental damage.


The lack of due process was a big focus of today's entire hearing. Justice Pollack pointed out that just because a permit is issued with conditions doesn't make it a conditional permit. It was offered as an excuse of the defense that the reason they issue the permit first before the hearing is so that the contesting party can have all the specifics they need to address.


Justice Richard W. Pollack to BLNR attorney: "Can I read you your own rules?"


I'm sure more will be released in the coming hours/days. At least, it's progress.


FWIW/JMO.