IN THIS VIDEO REPORT

• A pre-hearing conference for the Thirty Meter Telescope contested case hearing redux was held on May 16 on Oahu. Attorneys met with hearing officer, Judge Riki May Amano (Ret.), and discussed the schedule for the upcoming proceeding.
• A number of petitioners are requesting to be admitted as a party to the contested case hearing. So far the list is: Edward Akiona, Waiala Ahn, Hank Fergestrom, Ana Nawahine-Kahoopii, Richard Maele DeLeon, Mehana Kihoi, Kaho’okahi Kanuha, Joseph Kualii Lindsey Camara, Hālonaikaiopuna Mikala-Jiro Fukutomi, Crystal W West, Ivy McIntosh, Wilma H. Holi, Moses Kealamakia, Jr., Michael Kumukauoha Lee, and Ricky Cassiday.
• Another group – PUEO, Perpetuating Unique Educational Opportunities, which favors astronomy on Mauna Kea – has filed to participate as well. The group includes Shadd Keahi Warfield, Patrick Leo Kahawaiolaa, William H. Brown, and Richard Ha (press release below).
• PUEO ads momentum to what appears to be a renewed campaign to cast the observatory project in a positive light. New groups and sign waving events touting TMT are popping up, and recently TMT Systems Scientist Dr. Warren Skidmore gave a technology talk at the West Hawaii Civic Center (more video below).

MEDIA RELEASE from PUEO

MEDIA RELEASE

Aloha, we are pleased to announce the formation of Perpetuating Unique Educational Opportunities, Inc., (“PUEO”) a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the educational opportunities of Hawaii’s youth and their communities.

Our board is comprised of native Hawaiians from the Hawaiian communities of the Hawaii Island. Our intent is based on a unifying vision of Hawaiian language, culture, science, technology and exploration. PUEO seeks to provide and enhance the opportunities for our children to continue the tradition of Hawaiian culture of exploration and learning to all members of our communities.

PUEO recognizes the importance of Hawaii’s children to seek knowledge from all sources in order to survive and thrive to create careers that sustain the survival of their needs and families in Hawaii. PUEO was born to assist our children in this noble and traditional journey.

As a matter of current affairs, the board believed that it was appropriate for our voice of vision and inclusiveness be heard. Because so much press has been focused on a voice that Native Hawaiians were against science and technology on Mauna Kea, the board felt that it was important to intervene in the current contested case for the sublease of lands to build the Thirty Meter Telescope (“TMT”) to dispel the myth that all Native Hawaiians opposed the project. Thus, on Monday May 16, at 11:00 a.m., we directed our attorneys to file for Intervention. PUEO hopes to bring a vision of clarity and unity to the process through the perpetuation of unique educational opportunities.

For more information on PUEO, the public is invited to contact us at infopueo@gmail.com.

RELATED VIDEO: May 2016