Posted on: Wednesday, February 26, 2003

Mauna Kea plans require permit

Associated Press

Opponents of a plan for development on Mauna Kea may be successful — at least temporarily — in blocking six more telescopes on the volcano's summit.

The attorney overseeing a contested case hearing on the construction said a state-approved management plan for the summit is needed before a permit for the telescopes can be considered.

"The rules clearly say there has to be an approved management plan for the facility," said Honolulu attorney Michael Gibson, who has overseen the hearing since it began Feb. 10 in Hilo.

Since then, environmentalists and Hawaiian activists have tried to thwart a proposal by the University of Hawai'i for new telescopes at the W.M. Keck Observatory.

The university manages astronomy activities on Mauna Kea's summit and has drawn criticism for proposing further development in an area that is sacred to native Hawaiians and revered by environmentalists.

Mauna Kea is home to the endangered wekiu bug and other unique insects.

NASA has proposed financing the $50 million project to construct up to six "outrigger" telescopes around the perimeter of the Keck observatory to boost the observatory's light-gathering capability. The proposal is part of the space agency's "Origins" program to study the beginnings of the universe.

Gibson will make a recommendation on the matter to the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. That agency will decide whether to issue a permit.

On Monday, Gibson said he's "not inclined to dismiss" the application, but that a management plan is needed before permit approval. He said a separate hearing on the management plan could be necessary.

That would, at the least, delay the issue of a permit, news hailed by opponents of the development plan.