Posted on: Monday, June 30, 2003

Hearings on telescopes wrap up

Associated Press

The fate of a request to build more telescopes atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island is in the hands of the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.

Land Board chairman Peter Young said he doesn't know when the decision on the $50 million project will be made.

The proposal spearheaded by the UH Institute for Astronomy calls for adding as many as six "outrigger" telescopes to the W.M. Keck Observatory.

The board held its last meeting on the issue Thursday to hear testimony about hearing officer Michael Gibson's recommendations. Among other things, Gibson wants the board to give the university until July 15 to submit a new management plan and then set a Dec. 31 deadline to consider approving it.

Lisa Munger, an attorney representing the university, told the board a new plan isn't necessary.

The project is opposed by some Native Hawaiians and environmentalists. Gov. Linda Lingle has said she favors the project because it would add jobs.