Hawaii – For the second time, the construction of Thirty Meter Telescope which is regarded as the world’s biggest telescopes is being delayed in Hawaii. This official confirmation came from Hawaii Governor David Ige. A nonprofit company had plans of building a telescope on a mountain in Hawaii. However, construction of this ambitious project had […]
Hawaii – For the second time, the construction of Thirty Meter Telescope which is regarded as the world’s biggest telescopes is being delayed in Hawaii. This official confirmation came from Hawaii Governor David Ige. A nonprofit company had plans of building a telescope on a mountain in Hawaii.
However, construction of this ambitious project had to be postponed indefinitely as Native Hawaiians continue to express their fear in allowing this project to continue.
The non-profit company has plans of constructing the telescope at a building of Mauna Kea, which is the highest peak on the Big Island of Hawaii. David Ige refused to make public the date when the construction work will begin. He also added that any announcements about the construction of the telescope will be made public by the company in the future.
The company was forced to temporarily suspend this construction work as protesters were arrested by law enforcers. A group of angry protesters blocked the road that takes people to the construction site. A few adamant protestors also refused to leave the construction site.
Scientists on the other hand say that Mauna Kea’s summit that is above the cloud cover offers one of the world’s excellent conditions for viewing the skies. However, protesters are angry as they have sentimental value attached towards the site that is proposed to construct the telescope.
Native Hawaiians believe that the construction site is home to deities they worship and it is also burial site for ancestors. This probably has made the protesters angry.
In an official statement David Ige made it public that since April 7 his team of experts has been using time to making their observations about Mauna Kea. David Ige said the Thirty Meter Telescope is legally entitled to “use its discretion to proceed with construction.” He added that he respects the rights of the protestors and he also added that he respects their right to appeal through the court system.
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