HONOLULU (AP) - A retired Big Island circuit court judge will oversee a hearing for a permit to build a telescope on Mauna Kea.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Friday Riki May Amano has been selected to conduct the Thirty Meter Telescope contested case hearing. A new hearing is necessary after the state Supreme Court voided the project’s permit in December.
Telescope officials are waiting to learn more about the process and timeline before deciding whether to pursue a new hearing. A spokesman says he’s glad an officer has been selected.
Amano will determine the hearing schedule.
Telescope officials are looking for possible alternate sites in case it can’t be built in Hawaii.
Telescope foes vow to continue fighting the project they say will desecrate sacred land.
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