05-28-2016, 01:17 PM
FYI: (*Update - More at link - BBM)
http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/loc...ng-officer
HONOLULU — Opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope and the nonprofit company that wants to build it on Mauna Kea agree on something: It’s time for a new hearings officer to oversee proceedings for the project’s construction permit.
TMT International Observatory filed a request Thursday asking to replace retired Big Island Judge Riki May Amano with an alternate hearings officer.
Those who oppose the TMT, including protesters who say it will desecrate land held sacred to Native Hawaiians, have been calling for Amano’s removal. Among their objections is her paid membership to Imiloa Astronomy Center, which they say is a conflict of interest.
The state Board of Land and Natural Resources affirmed her selection as hearings officer, saying that the membership simply allows her family to view exhibits and displays that focus on astronomy, Mauna Kea and Hawaiian culture. Amano said she wouldn’t renew the family membership, which was set to expire earlier this week.
The board was meeting Friday, but it wasn’t clear when members would discuss the replacement requests and make a decision.
Permit applicant University of Hawaii’s Hilo campus also wants to replace Amano. The university takes issue with Amano also mediating a matter involving its Manoa campus.
Amano couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Friday. In a letter to the land board, she explained that the dispute she’s mediating involves the funding of a faculty position to manage the W.M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry at the Manoa campus. It’s unrelated to the telescope case, she said, and won’t affect her impartiality as contested case hearings officer.
The university and the telescope company don’t agree with the opponents’ reasons for replacing Amano. The university said in its request this week it was doing so reluctantly and believes she is “eminently qualified.”
Replacing her is the “only option to ensure that this contentious issue and any alleged appearance of impropriety is resolved,” the TMT filing states. “This will also minimize any further delay caused by Judge Amano’s selection as hearings officer.”
The UH seems to be concerned with Amano's postion in the case before her as mediator, as it involves the W.M. Keck Research Lab. Unfortunately, it may present the opportunity for further scrutiny.
The UH, under the direction of the State, and BLNR/DLNR, better start realizing that the "status quo" is not the norm today. Not to beat the same drum, however, thank you Supreme Court Justices, in this matter.
A very good, well known defense attorney (originally from Chicago) once stated to me (in a discussion about a big case that was being tried here in Hilo), "... I can work the law to my client's benefit, at will. The key is knowing the law, and it's flaws. It's a wonderful country, isn't it?" (With a grin on his face I will never forget.)
Shameful. All of it.
JMO.
P.S. Please know, the feces smearing in the bathroom of the Visitor's Center was NOT part of the "protestors/protectors" group. The responsible jerk was from Kona, ka po'e homeless haole (sorry, not meant to be racial, just factual). Please do not continue stating assumptions, especially when it is not fact. Tired of hearing accusations that are erroneous and downright false. And, yes, I do correct those "protectors/protestors" (in my reach) when they make statements that are equally erroneous.
http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/loc...ng-officer
HONOLULU — Opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope and the nonprofit company that wants to build it on Mauna Kea agree on something: It’s time for a new hearings officer to oversee proceedings for the project’s construction permit.
TMT International Observatory filed a request Thursday asking to replace retired Big Island Judge Riki May Amano with an alternate hearings officer.
Those who oppose the TMT, including protesters who say it will desecrate land held sacred to Native Hawaiians, have been calling for Amano’s removal. Among their objections is her paid membership to Imiloa Astronomy Center, which they say is a conflict of interest.
The state Board of Land and Natural Resources affirmed her selection as hearings officer, saying that the membership simply allows her family to view exhibits and displays that focus on astronomy, Mauna Kea and Hawaiian culture. Amano said she wouldn’t renew the family membership, which was set to expire earlier this week.
The board was meeting Friday, but it wasn’t clear when members would discuss the replacement requests and make a decision.
Permit applicant University of Hawaii’s Hilo campus also wants to replace Amano. The university takes issue with Amano also mediating a matter involving its Manoa campus.
Amano couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Friday. In a letter to the land board, she explained that the dispute she’s mediating involves the funding of a faculty position to manage the W.M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry at the Manoa campus. It’s unrelated to the telescope case, she said, and won’t affect her impartiality as contested case hearings officer.
The university and the telescope company don’t agree with the opponents’ reasons for replacing Amano. The university said in its request this week it was doing so reluctantly and believes she is “eminently qualified.”
Replacing her is the “only option to ensure that this contentious issue and any alleged appearance of impropriety is resolved,” the TMT filing states. “This will also minimize any further delay caused by Judge Amano’s selection as hearings officer.”
The UH seems to be concerned with Amano's postion in the case before her as mediator, as it involves the W.M. Keck Research Lab. Unfortunately, it may present the opportunity for further scrutiny.
The UH, under the direction of the State, and BLNR/DLNR, better start realizing that the "status quo" is not the norm today. Not to beat the same drum, however, thank you Supreme Court Justices, in this matter.
A very good, well known defense attorney (originally from Chicago) once stated to me (in a discussion about a big case that was being tried here in Hilo), "... I can work the law to my client's benefit, at will. The key is knowing the law, and it's flaws. It's a wonderful country, isn't it?" (With a grin on his face I will never forget.)
Shameful. All of it.
JMO.
P.S. Please know, the feces smearing in the bathroom of the Visitor's Center was NOT part of the "protestors/protectors" group. The responsible jerk was from Kona, ka po'e homeless haole (sorry, not meant to be racial, just factual). Please do not continue stating assumptions, especially when it is not fact. Tired of hearing accusations that are erroneous and downright false. And, yes, I do correct those "protectors/protestors" (in my reach) when they make statements that are equally erroneous.