Hawaii News Now 12-16-15… “TMT officials confirm heavy equipment being removed from Mauna Kea”

This was posted on FB so I pass it along (I was unable to find any local news articles about this when I posted this yesterday). Of course, this was anticipated, but no one knew exactly when this would be done. Finally, here it is.

If you go to the original article, there is a video (which I’ve not included here). If you do watch it, notice how much of the video has “in your face” screen shots of the proposed telescope. About 40 seconds of the 2 minute video (33%) contained images of the telescope. Continuing the mind-molding, perhaps?

“The Chair of the TMT International Observatory Board of Governors, Henry Yang, released the following statement to Hawaii News Now: “We respect the Hawaii Supreme Court decision and, as good neighbors and stewards of the mountain, TMT has begun relocating construction vehicles and equipment from Mauna Kea. Some maintenance work was needed before transporting the vehicles down the mountain, given that they have been idle since April. We thank everyone as we assess our next steps forward.”

“It could potentially take months, even years for the TMT project to acquire a new permit and resume its construction efforts. Opponents to the TMT project are pleased with the TMT equipment move, and some also gathering on the mountain to observe the removal.

“…Pua Case, said that she is “more than pleased” with today’s news of the equipment removal. “It’s a fabulous day for all of us who have been standing for what is right, what is pono for the mountain,” Case said. “It validates what protectors have been saying, that they’re not following the due process and conservation rules.””

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TMT officials confirm heavy equipment being removed from Mauna Kea

Thirty Meter Telescope officials on Wednesday confirmed that TMT heavy equipment will be moved from the summit of Mauna Kea.

The Chair of the TMT International Observatory Board of Governors, Henry Yang, released the following statement to Hawaii News Now:

“We respect the Hawaii Supreme Court decision and, as good neighbors and stewards of the mountain, TMT has begun relocating construction vehicles and equipment from Mauna Kea. Some maintenance work was needed before transporting the vehicles down the mountain, given that they have been idle since April. We thank everyone as we assess our next steps forward.”

Earlier this month, the Hawaii Supreme Court essentially halted the $1.4 billion project, sending it back to the drawing board, or in this case, the permit decision making process.

The justices ruled that the Board of Land and Natural Resources erred when it issued the TMT conservation district use permit in 2011, allowing the telescope’s construction, before a contested case hearing was resolved.

It could potentially take months, even years for the TMT project to acquire a new permit and resume its construction efforts.

Opponents to the TMT project are pleased with the TMT equipment move, and some also gathering on the mountain to observe the removal.

Hawane Rios posted that people will be “gathering at 7 a.m. at Hale Pohaku to prepare to make our way up to the Mauna to chant and sing while the machinery that has been sitting at proposed TMT site leaves.”

Rios’ mother, Pua Case, said that she is “more than pleased” with today’s news of the equipment removal.

“It’s a fabulous day for all of us who have been standing for what is right, what is pono for the mountain,” Case said.  “It validates what protectors have been saying, that they’re not following the due process and conservation rules.”

Case will be on Oahu today for a sign waving at Nanakuli Beach Park from 4 to 5:30 p.m. to thank Mauna Kea supporters on Oahu for their support.

She said that her daughter and the group gathered on the mountain are there not to protest march or celebrate, but to “ensure that the equipment is indeed coming down, to witness and safeguard the mountain, to be helpful in any way and to chant the machinery down the mountain in respect for its departure.”

Isaac Harp of Kamuela posted additional information on what he’s heard about the move.

“TMT’s contractor, Goodfellow Brothers, will be transporting equipment off the summit on Wednesday that could continue through Thursday. The loads will be slow moving, oversized, and accompanied by safety escorts. The trucks will leave Hale Pohaku around 8:00 a.m.“

Hawaii News Now has asked DLNR officials if they plan to have any additional enforcement officers on the mountain Wednesday while the two activities take place.

“We don’t discuss law enforcement operations in advance,” DLNR spokesman Dan Dennison said.

There are no apparent indications online that the march would be anything but peaceful, but with potentially oversized heavy equipment moving down the road shared by marchers, it is possible additional safety measures may be taken, but so far, there’s no official word that such action will be taken.

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