Hawaii Governor David Ige announced during a press conference Tuesday the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope inside the crater of the Mauna Kea volcano will be stopped for one week.

The governor wants to ease increasing tensions and encourage more dialogue between stakeholders of the telescope project. According to Ige, the University of Hawaii president including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, have both agreed on this timeout, which means there will be no construction for this week.

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Opponents of the telescope project are not satisfied with this decision, however.

De Mont Conner, manager of Ho'omana Pon,o which is an activist organization, that this was just implemented since the Merrie Monarch festival is being celebrated right now. This event is a world renowned hula festival happening in Hilo also this week.

His wife, Momi, believes the whole world will know the truth if the protests against the telescope project continue during the Merrie Monarch, that's why officials postponed it for a week.

Although the governor didn't mention the Merrie Monarch during his announcement, he also offered little information about the proposed dialogue between the stakeholders and the opponents.

Ige confirms both sides were actively engaging in meaningful talks and discussions about the telescope project. He also confirms there have been decisions about Mauna Kea and those decisions need to be honored.

Activists were more adamant in their beliefs saying the idea of trespassing on their own land is absurd since they are the kanaka maoli or the natives and the host culture of Mauna Kea. The governor needs to listen to the power of the people, Conner adds.

The natives have no reason to oppose the Thirty Meter Telescope construction that will soon be one of the biggest ground based telescopes in the world. What they oppose is the sacred land where the construction is currently based.

Natives believe all the highest points in the Hawaiian islands are the homes of their gods and Mauna Kea is the highest point of all.

TagsThirty Meter Telescope Construction in Hawaii Paused; Activists Not Impressed, Thirty Meter Telescope, TMT, Mauna Kea, protests activists TMT telescope hawaii