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TMT Protesters Hope to Reach Visiting Astronomers Waikiki March
Posted by Civil Beat: None Given on August 10th, 2015
Civil Beat: Should construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope be a formal topic of discussion at the world’s largest astronomical gathering?
For leaders of the International Astronomical Association, the answer so far has been a resounding “No.”
Controversy surrounding the TMT is a local problem and must be addressed at a local level, IAU Deputy General Piero Benvenuti said this week. If protesters wanted to make a presentation at the conference, which started Monday at the Hawaii Convention Center, they...
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Thousands Turn Out Aloha Aina Unity March
Posted by Civil Beat: None Given on August 10th, 2015
Civil Beat: Thousands of Hawaiians mobilized in Waikiki on Sunday for the “Aloha Aina Unity March” -- a massive show of strength that organizers hope to translate into ongoing political actions. “This is about political pressure,” said organizer Tiare Lawrence, pointing to volunteers collecting information and helping register voters at the event. “I think next year a lot of people’s seats are going to be up for grabs. This is about getting people into office who are committed to protecting our land and sacred...
Hawaii AG to Provide Info Emergency Rule for Mauna Kea
Posted by Civil Beat: None Given on July 10th, 2015
Civil Beat: Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin plans to hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Friday to provide more information about the need for the administration’s proposed emergency rule for Mauna Kea. The Board of Land and Natural Resources is set to consider the rule, drafted by DLNR Chair Suzanne Case and Chin, sometime after 1 p.m. Friday. State officials say the rule will promote safe access to Mauna Kea’s summit, the site of the planned $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope project that has been unable...
Enlightening Hawaii Economy
Posted by Civil Beat: None Given on June 30th, 2015
Civil Beat: Now that reaction to construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) has proven its impacts to Hawaiian culture are so profound it cannot proceed, supporters of the project cling to the hope that its much-touted economic benefits can, somehow, keep it alive. That hope is predicated on a widespread belief that the economic benefits would be substantial, which in turn is predicated on widespread acceptance of claims originating with TMT Corporation and parroted by both local and national media. Selling...
What’s Next for Mauna Kea?
Posted by Civil Beat: None Given on June 2nd, 2015
Civil Beat: The landscape of the Thirty Meter Telescope debate shifted a bit last week as first Gov. David Ige and then University of Hawaii President David Lassner announced promised changes to the management of Mauna Kea. Telescope opponents remain unhappy with the developments and are vowing to do everything they can to stop the project.
Opinion Editor Todd Simmons and reporter Anita Hofschneider joined Pod Squad host Chad Blair for a discussion of what it all means moving ahead.
Does the 30 Meter Telescope Pose Environmental Risks?
Posted by Civil Beat: None Given on April 27th, 2015
Civil Beat: As protests against the Thirty Meter Telescope continue, many critics say they’re worried that the $1.4 billion project will damage Mauna Kea’s environment.
Thirteen observatories have already been built on the top of the state’s tallest mountain, but the TMT will be by far the largest. Once completed, the observatory and its support building will span 1.4 acres.
The project will take up another 5 acres extending the road leading up to the mountain and adding a parking lot. It may also involve...
Cyberattack Hits TMT and State Government Websites
Posted by Civil Beat: None Given on April 27th, 2015
Civil Beat: Hawaii state government’s official website went down Sunday, along with the main site for the organization building the Thirty Meter Telescope atop Mauna Kea.
TMT spokeswoman Caroline Witherspoon confirmed that the organization’s website had received a denial of service attack but said that it was back up as of 3 p.m. She didn’t know how long the attack lasted.
Update The state’s website, hawaii.gov, was back up and running by 5 p.m.
Gov. David Ige’s communications director, Cindy McMillan,...