TMT construction begins Monday 15 July

[PaulW]

Hopefully the Protestors will wake up to the fact that there are better things to protest against than a telescope.
This is part of the diversification that our economy needs. Weren't people here complaining about our reliance on tourism just recently?

[TomK]

"Which makes me wonder.. with the cost skyrocketing, and the world economy plummeting, will this project be just another bit of flotsam in the annals of what might have been pre #19 or does it have a chance of rising out of the ashes of our demise?"

That is such a ridiculously leading question it is not worth answering with a proper response. Bolding is mine.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Protestors leave Mauna Kea Access Road. Cited medical professionals for the reason, not conspiracy theories:

“Because of the concern for human health and safety, we’ve decided to leave,” Perez said. “We feel that there’s no imminent threat from TMT, that’s our assessment, and so human health and safety is paramount for us.”

Protesters posted videos on social media saying medical professionals advised them to reduce travel and “stay in our bubbles and remain home” until the coronavirus threat passes.

https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2020/03/...-concerns/

[TomK]

The MK Observatories have shut down as well - staff effort has been mostly switched to publich outreach and education.

https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2020/03/27/m...perations/

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

News from the TMT.

TMT Telescope Enclosure Ready for Production

April 23rd, 2020 • Engineering & Technology
Pasadena, CA – April 2, 2020 – TMT’s Enclosure System has achieved its final design milestone, successfully passing a series of Production Readiness Reviews (PRR) in March 2020.

Over the last several years, the enclosure design has progressed through its final design phase followed by the completion of the models, drawings and specifications required for procurement and fabrication. Completion of the PRR sets the stage for effectively starting the procurement and fabrication of the enclosure parts, which will be followed by factory assembly, testing, and shipment of the enclosure components to the TMT construction site.

https://www.tmt.org/news/461

[kalakoa]

assembly, testing, and shipment of the enclosure components to the TMT construction site.

Wherever that may be...

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Wherever that may be...

The state and county have spent far beyond their 2020 budgets, and probably 2021 budgets on COVID-19. My personal opinion is neither the governor or mayor will tolerate another $15 million for stop lights and police at Mauna Kea Access Road. Next time, it’ll be one quick discount priced law enforcement response, because dawdling is not a financial option, even for Harry.

[kalakoa]

neither the governor or mayor will tolerate another $15 million for stop lights

It's not their $15M to tolerate.

because dawdling is not a financial option, even for Harry

Federal precedent says it shouldn't be up to him this close to the election, but that's merely "my interpretation".

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Not a big surprise given the COVID-19 pandemic, but construction of the TMT may not resume until 2021:

Gordon Squires, vice president of external affairs for the TMT International Observatory, announced on Hawaii News Now Sunrise that construction will probably not happen until sometime after spring or summer of 2021.
“With the pandemic and other factors that have come in, winter seems like a long ways away, but it’s not that far away and for us to resume construction activities on site, winter on Mauna Kea just isn’t feasible,” Squires said.


Despite this, Squires said, “We’re absolutely committed to finding a way forward in Hawaii.”

Construction of Thirty Meter Telescope probably won’t resume until 2021

With a do-nothing mayor still in charge of law enforcement on Mauna Kea Access Road this summer, and the possibility of a do-something mayor in office next year, it’s probably a wise decision.

[macuu222]

They "should" be absolutely committed for kissing local governments ass instead of plowing ahead after given the green light by the supreme court. They're just as bad as the protesters. I'm surprised that the countries backing the project haven't moved on.