HAWAII – Construction on the Thirty Meter Telescope has been delayed again, according to the office of Governor David Ige.

“Today, the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) leadership informed me that construction will continue to be postponed,” the governor stated. “Any further announcements about the construction schedule will come from TMT.”

This is the third time construction has been postponed since the “protectors” began their blockade of the Mauna Kea Access Road. The last postponement, announced while the governor was in Hilo for the Merrie Monarch Festival, was set to end on Monday. Opponents of the project – who voiced their opinion to the University of Hawaii Board of Regents on Thursday, loud and clear – were gearing up for another possible showdown.

On April 2, mass arrests were carried out on the sacred mountain in an attempt to clear the blocked road for TMT. However, the incident only strengthened state-wide opposition.

My understanding is that TMT followed an almost 7 year planning and permitting process, which included public hearings and community input. Following this process, project permits were issued. The TMT team is legally entitled to use its discretion to proceed with construction.

I understand that not everyone will agree with this and recognize and respect their right to appeal through the court system.Governor David Ige via media release

No word on how long this latest postponement will last.

We have used this time to listen and learn about Maunakea from various stakeholders. I learned about other issues that need our attention to create and implement a better plan for the stewardship of Maunakea. This may include:

– Decommissioning and removing older telescopes and facilities to restore the summit

– Reducing the level of activity on the summit

– Integrating culture and science

My administration will be working with the University of Hawai‘i, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the community to actively pursue these outcomes.Governor David Ige via media release