The Latest: Attorney: Allow ‘noble’ telescope to proceed

HONOLULU (AP) - The Latest on arguments before the Hawaii Supreme Court about whether a giant telescope should be built (all times local):

12:15 p.m.

A lawyer representing a giant telescope is asking Hawaii’s Supreme Court to allow a “global and noble effort” to proceed.

Thirty Meter Telescope attorney Ross Shinyama tells justices the project will result in little environmental impact to Mauna Kea, where there are already other telescopes. Shinyama says that full funding hasn’t been secured for the project, which has been previously pegged at $1.4 billion. He says it’s impossible for projects of this magnitude to secure funding before a site has been secured.

Telescope officials have a backup location in the Canary Islands off the African coast if it can’t be built in Hawaii.

Justices heard arguments Thursday in an appeal to a decision granting the project a construction permit. It’s not clear when they will issue a ruling.

Opponents say the Thirty Meter Telescope planned for the Big Island’s Mauna Kea will desecrate land sacred to Native Hawaiians. Supporters say it will bring economic and educational opportunities to Hawaii.

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9:45 a.m.

A lawyer representing opponents of a giant telescope planned for Hawaii’s tallest mountain says a hearings officer who recommended granting the project a construction permit had a conflict that should have prevented her from being involved in the case.

Richard Wurdeman is arguing before the Hawaii Supreme Court Thursday in an appeal of a decision granting the permit. Wurdeman says retired judge Riki May Amano’s membership to an astronomy center on the Big Island represents a conflict of interest.

After long-running contested-case hearings, Amano recommended granting the permit, which the state land board upheld. Opponents appealed to the Supreme Court.

It’s the second appeal before the high court involving the contentious project. Justices are already considering another appeal challenging the state land board’s decision to allow the University of Hawaii to sublease mountaintop land to telescope builders.

Opponents say the Thirty Meter Telescope planned for the Big Island’s Mauna Kea will desecrate land sacred to Native Hawaiians. Supporters say it will bring economic and educational opportunities to Hawaii.

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This version of this item corrects the spelling of Riki May Amano’s first name.

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5 a.m.

Hawaii’s Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in an appeal of a decision to grant a construction permit for a giant telescope planned for the state’s tallest mountain.

Justices will hear arguments Thursday from lawyers representing telescope builders and lawyers representing opponents. A decision isn’t expected immediately.

It’s the second appeal before the high court involving the contentious project. Justices are already considering another appeal challenging the state land board’s decision to allow the University of Hawaii to sublease mountaintop land to telescope builders.

The appeals are crucial to whether the Thirty Meter Telescope can be built on the Big Island’s Mauna Kea.

Opponents say the telescope will desecrate land sacred to Native Hawaiians. Supporters say it will bring economic and educational opportunities to Hawaii.