Hilo Circuit Court Judge Greg Nakamura issued the final judgment in the Thirty Meter Telescope case May 5. ADVERTISING Hilo Circuit Court Judge Greg Nakamura issued the final judgment in the Thirty Meter Telescope case May 5. The release of
Hilo Circuit Court Judge Greg Nakamura issued the final judgment in the Thirty Meter Telescope case May 5.
The release of the final judgment, where Nakamura ruled in favor of the Thirty Meter Telescope project, means the six petitioners arguing the state erred when issuing a conservation district land use permit for construction of what is poised to be one of the world’s largest telescopes atop Mauna Kea will have 30 days to file a notice or intent to appeal to the Hawaii Supreme Court.
Meanwhile the TMT Corp.’s sublease for the project awaits approval by the Board of Land and Natural Resources.
Sandra Dawson, TMT spokeswoman, previously said the state land board will review the sublease later this month or in early June.
The sublease will allow for construction and development of TMT to occur on about 9 acres on Mauna Kea’s northern plateau below the summit on land the University of Hawaii leases from the state land board.
Construction for the project is slated for this summer, following approval from the board.
The TMT is a joint project between universities in California and Canada and research institutions in China, India and Japan.
TMT representatives hope to begin operations for the $1.3 billion telescope in 2021.
