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"Can't construction go ahead even if there is an (unlikely to win) US Supreme Court appeal? Hopefully the land use appeal is also rejected..."
This is from memory, but I think the TMT lawyers actually said many months ago that construction could go ahead, but the TMT is just waiting until every i is dotted and each t is crossed before attempting construction. Although the TMT haven't done anything wrong, I think it's a case of once bitten, twice shy. This is why they're waiting for the appeal decision on the construction permit.
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I almost can't find words to express how dispiriting it has been to see my adopted home and culture essentially soiling itself in front of the world and quite possibly driving away one of the greatest assets we could ever hope to attract. We have done our best to prove that we are unworthy of such a good thing. This is probably an unrealistic dream but I long to see the police finally doing their jobs and dragging "protectors" away so the rest of us can get on with life and keep moving forward, using this windfall that is clearly more than we deserve. I hope that then, in a hundred subtle ways, we will see a positive response from the majority of Hawaiians who have remained silent. Could have used something more proactive before now but hey, you take what you can get.
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I long to see the police finally doing their jobs and dragging "protectors" away
Now that "Protectors" have dragged their appeals out to the bitter end, and soon, hopefully, every last regulation will have been satisfied by the TMT, would it be too much at this time to expect protestors also observe the same laws they demanded the TMT comply with on Mauna Kea*? Shouldn't they be held to their own standards, be required to follow the letter of the law, and if not, face the consequences?
They asked for consequences, perhaps they will finally get what they wished for.
* Are "The Protectors" careful to follow all applicable County and State laws when they protest, camp, hike, or park? Does their presence in any way damage the watershed (are they zero waste) or prevent others from their personal and spiritual use, appreciation, and enjoyment of the mountain?
Up until 1972, General Motors blended whale oil in transmission fluid for its cars. -Spying on Whales
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
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would it be too much at this time to expect protestors also observe the same laws
Yes.
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I have heard nothing recently. I assume that the TMT Corp finally giving up and leaving would at least warrant a news report. Has there been any word one way or the other?
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Didn't they originally start construction during the same week as Merrie Monarch? Was this a good idea?
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Mark - I can't give too much away but was in a meeting with the other observatories a couple of weeks ago during which the TMT project manager gave an update. Basically, the TMT project is on hold pending the second of two Hawaii Supreme Court appeal decisions. The first went in TMT's favor, the second, about permitting, was rumored to be made "any day now" but that was two weeks ago. Nothing yet.
If that second decision goes in TMT's favor, they are ready to proceed with construction as Mauna Kea remains their first choice. However, they are extremely concerned with potential protests once again preventing summit access.
In the meantime, they expect to have permission to build the TMT in La Palma very shortly (they may even have it by now).
Right now, I would guess it's 50/50 that the TMT is built here.
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TMT corp is giving 1 mil each year TO STEM for the kids
HPP
HPP
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Protests preventing access boils down to whether or not the police are going to step up and uphold the law. Any way to know how that is likely to pan out?
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Last time around, a host of officials including the governor, the DLNR director, the cops, and our county prosecutor all proved to be spineless in the face of blatant lawbreaking. The backlash caused the governor some political flak, but being clueless he may or may not have learned anything. It could be different next time if all the court rulings provide cover, though. I would love to see dozens of "protectors" hauled off to jail, but I'm not counting on it. And even if it happened, the prosecutor and/or courts would probably let them off.
