Dive Brief:
-
The Wednesday reopening of the construction site for the Thirty Meter Telescope on what native Hawaiians have labeled as sacred ground is unlikely to go smoothly, as about 20 protesters have announced they will be there to stop work from resuming.
-
It won’t be the first time opponents of the project have tried to stop progress on the $1.4 billion telescope. In April, more than 30 protesters were arrested for blocking access to the job site and preventing crews and their equipment from entering. Because of the ongoing disturbances, the organization in charge of the project shut it down for two months.
-
Thirteen other telescopes occupy the 9,200-foot high dormant volcano called Mauna Kea on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Dive Insight:
Hawaii Gov. David Ige conceded last month that the state should take better care of the mountain. But he ruled that the telescope, which will be one of the world’s largest and most powerful, could proceed.
Protesters camped out overnight on Tuesday in cars and tents and told journalists that they are prepared to be arrested for their actions.
