Regarding the Memorandum of Decision on UH Motion to Dismiss Appeal, filed 12-29-09, Mauna Kea Anaina Hou’s request for a contested case of the then proposed Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) was denied. Judge Hara ruled:

“It may be that a future implementation of the CMP might trigger a requirement for a contested case, but the action of the BLNR in accepting and approving the CMP in and of itself does not do so.”

We must aloha the appellants’ efforts on behalf of Mauna Kea. They were on the forefront of protecting Mauna Kea since the early days. If not for them, we may not have this heightened sense of awareness that we all now have.

And because they pointed out that on previous telescope projects there were no benefits coming back to the Big Island, we were able to negotiate a TMT Big Island community benefit package of $3.5 million annually for the 65-year life of the project ($227,500,000 plus).

One million of that will go toward keiki education on the Big Island each year, starting when the permits are obtained. In addition, 7.5 percent of the viewing time will go to the University of Hawai‘i. Dr. McClain intended that the benefits were to be split equitably, so it is fair to say that part of the viewing time benefits will come to the Big Island. The viewing time is estimated to be worth a million dollars for each percentage point, more or less, in inflation-adjusted dollars and is quite a difference from previous arrangements.

A big mahalo to the appellants, and a Happy New Year to all.