TMT construction begins Monday 15 July

[SBH]

The only reason MK observatories shut down is because they lost access. HPD would take control of access once the protectors run out of food and water and port-a-potty maintenance with Saddle Rd. closed.

I’m not sure why helicopters haven’t been an option to shuttle employees in an emergency for a few days with all the millions of dollars at stake. Summit is within limit of maximum altitude for Blue Hawaiian or they can fly to area near Visitors Center to staged vehicles for summit.

USGS was flying helicopters daily last summer observing the eruption.