(BIVN) – Hawaiʻi State Senators will hold an informational briefing today to receive a comprehensive update on the Thirty Meter Telescope.

The State Senate Committee on Water and Land, chaired by Hilo Sen. Kaiali‘i Kahele, will hold a joint briefing with the Senate Committee on Higher Education, as well as the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs at 1:15 p.m. at the State Capitol on Oʻahu.

The following departments and organizations have been requested to attend:

• Department of Land and Natural Resources (Land Division, Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement)
• University of Hawaii (Office of Maunakea Management)
• Department of Public Safety
• TMT International Observatory, LLC

The Thirty Meter Telescope is currently considering a multi-phased development plan, documents submitted to the Hawaiʻi DLNR say, starting with Civil Construction. “Civil Construction involves geotechnical studies, access way improvements, utility installation, rough grading of the site, and building the telescope pier foundation,” the document says.

Big Island Video News will have more on this briefing later today.