HILO, Hawaii – A motion to exclude a number of groups in favor of the Thirty Meter Telescope from participating in the contested case hearing was denied by the hearing officer on Friday.

Retired Judge Riki May Amano explained to participant Kalikolehua Kanaele that his motion to “remove PUEO, TMT, UH Manoa/Hilo, and all Petitioners seeking for permit for TMT by circumvention of religious protections of the Hawaii Constitution Article XII and HRS 7-11-1107 committing desecration” was contrary to the purpose of the process of holding a contested case hearing.

In his motion, Kanaele raised the issue of “desecration” and the alleged failure of the conservation district use permit application to meet the eight criteria for granting a permit.

Amano told Kanaele that the hearing itself will allow Kanaele to explore the issues described in his motion.

Kanaele is a ranking Chief of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Heiau Mamalahoa, Helu ‘Elua and a Kanekoa, Priest of I’o Kalanainuiilamamao of Mauna Kea, and a descendant of Kamehameha I, according to his motion to intervene in the contested case.

NOTE: This is one part of a multi-part video series documenting the numerous motions ruled on by Judge Amano during the August 5, 2016 pre-hearing conference. The full video collection is here.