Opinion
SCOT-17-0000777
11-29-2018
In the MATTER OF Contested Case Hearing Re CONSERVATION DISTRICT USE APPLICATION (CDUA) HA-3568 for the Thirty Meter Telescope at the Mauna Kea Science Reserve, Ka‘Ohe Mauka, Hamakua, Hawai‘i, TMK (3)404015:009
ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART
MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION
Upon consideration of the motion for reconsideration filed on November 19, 2018 by Petitioners-Appellants Mauna Kea Anaina Hou and Kealoha Pisciotta, Clarence Kukauakahi Ching, Flores-Case ‘Ohana, Deborah J. Ward, Paul K. Neves, and KAHEA: The Hawaiian Environmental Alliance; the declaration in support thereof; the joinders thereto; and the record and files herein,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the motion for reconsideration is granted in part and denied in part. The motion is granted in part to delete footnote 15.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED that the motion for reconsideration is granted in part to modify footnote 17 to read as follows:
The Kihoi Appellants allege in Point of Error B(2) that the BLNR erred by stating that Article XII, Section 7 does not protect contemporary Native Hawaiian cultural practices. The record reflects, however, that the BLNR appropriately took into account contemporary (as well as customary and traditional) Native Hawaiian cultural practices, finding and concluding that none were taking place within the TMT Project site or its immediate vicinity, aside from the recent construction of ahu to protest the TMT Project itself, which was not found to be a reasonable exercise of cultural rights. Further, although the BLNR defined the "relevant area" in its Ka Pa‘akai analysis as the TMT Observatory site and Access Way, the Board’s findings also identified and considered the effect of the project upon cultural practices in the vicinity of the "relevant area" and in other areas of Mauna Kea, including the summit region, as Ka Pa‘akai requires. See 94 Hawai‘i at 49, 7 P.3d at 1086 (faulting the agency for failing to address "possible native Hawaiian rights or cultural resources outside [the area at issue]").
This court will issue an Order of Correction and Amended Opinion incorporating these changes.
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED that, in all other respects, the motion for reconsideration is denied.