LONDON: The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees has voted to rescind a resolution supporting the Thirty Meter Telescope.
The vote of six ayes and one abstention came after hours of testimony from both supporters and opponents of the $1.4 billion project slated to be built on Mauna Kea.
In 2009, the trustees passed a resolution in support of the telescope. Discussion Thursday addressed whether to oppose or stand by that previous action, or rescind the resolution, which symbolizes a neutral stance on the project.
Present for the vote were Colette Machado, Peter Apo, Carmen Hulu Lindsey, Lei Ahu Isa, Haunani Apoliona, Rowena Akana and Dan Ahuna, who presided over the meeting in place of chairman Robert Lindsey, who was absent, along with John Waihee IV.
They voted after trustee Carmen Lindsey read a statement from Princess Abigail Kawananakoa, who opposes the telescope.
“By rescinding the motion, it allows us the opportunity to come forward and engage,” said Apo. “This is not just about the telescope. OHA’s concerns are about the entire management of the mountain.”
In a statement, Dr. Henry Yang, chair of the TMT International Observatory Board, said he is disappointed by OHA’s change in position, “however, we are by no means discouraged. We must now redouble our commitment to respectfully continuing dialogue and engagement with OHA and all other stakeholders.”
Construction of the telescope has been suspended while project developers and state officials consider how, or whether, to proceed.
