More TMT Tuesday, April 05, 2022
The news on the Hawaiian Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT) in which UC has an interest keeps coming. Protesters who blocked construction three years ago had the charges against them dismissed on technical grounds. It remains to be seen whether charges will be refiled. As our recent postings on this topic indicate, the state authorities in Hawaii seems split on the issue with members of the legislature opposing the telescopes and in conflict with the University of Hawaii.* The net result is political paralysis. Judge dismisses charges against TMT protesters arrested in 2019 Saturday, April 2, 2022, West Hawaii Today
Hilo District Judge Kanani Laubach on Friday dismissed obstruction charges against the remaining defendants who were among 38 arrested or cited on July 17, 2019, during peaceful protests of the Thirty Millimeter Telescope on Maunakea Access Road. Those arrested were: Walter Ritte, Loretta Ritte, Abel Lui, Liko-o-Kalani Martin, Deborah Lee, Maxine Kahaulelio, Kelii Ioane, Raynette Robinson, Marie Alohalani Brown, Kaliko Lehua Kanaele, James Naniole, James Albertini, Richard L. Deleon, Renee Price, Pualani Kanakaole Kanahele, Daniel Li, Patricia Green, William K. Freitas, Tomas Belsky, Ana Kahoopii, Daycia-Dee Chun, Flora Hookano, Desmon Haumea, Linda Leilani Lindsey-Kaapuni, Edleen Peleiholani, Gene Burke, Luana Neff, Carmen Hulu Lindsey, Deena Oana-Hurwitz, Noenoe Wong-Wilson, Damian Trask, Mililani Trask, Mahea Kalima, Donna Leong, Haloley Reese, Sharol Awai, John Turalde and Alika Desha. Ages and hometowns of those arrested were not provided by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, but the majority are considered to be kupuna, or elders. They were among thousands protesting the planned construction of the $2.4 billion nextgeneration telescope on Hawaii’s highest peak, a site some Hawaiians consider to be sacred. The findings of fact and conclusions of law signed and filed by Laubach state the UCLA Faculty Association Blog: 2nd Quarter 2022
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