One would think that BLNR with legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General would get things right this second time around with the since invalidated TMT permit. Not so!
Firstly, they chose Riki May Amano as a contested case hearing officer even before they hold a public hearing on this vacated permit. Secondly, even after it has been disclosed that Amano has a potential conflict of interest, BLNR moves ahead with her hiring despite having several other applicants to choose from.
How can Amano be “unaware that Imiloa [Astronomy Center] is connected to the University of Hawaii” when it’s located on the grounds of UH at Hilo and when UHH’s logo and name is on Imiloa’s building, website, and newsletters? It’s very evident that Amano’s support of Imiloa through her membership and affiliation raises questions of a rigged outcome.
The TMT is directly tied to Imiloa, which would get support and funds for its exhibits and programs if this project is built. Imiloa already received $1.1 million from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation — a major funder of the TMT project. It’s very clear that Imiloa has benefited financially and would continue to benefit even further if the TMT is approved.
In addition, state taxpayers and UH students should be asking the UH Board of Regents and president as to why they have spent nearly $4 million in public funds to hire the private law firm of Carlsmith Ball LLP to expedite TMT’s permit?
Besides losing the TMT permit case at the Supreme Court, the Circuit Court also remanded the TMT sublease back to the BLNR with these same attorneys. The contract with this firm should be terminated as these attorneys representing UH in this matter have failed just as badly as those in the AG’s office.
With the proposed increases in UH tuition, dilapidated dorms, and crumbling classrooms, why is the state wasting taxpayers’ money on the legal costs of this project? Instead, the TMT International Observatory should hire its own attorneys and consultants to take care of the permitting process and legal aspects of their project, not the UH.
If BLNR and UH continue on this same flawed path of trying to fast-track the TMT project without following their own rules and laws, don’t be surprised if in a few years from now the State Supreme Court remands this matter back to BLNR again for failing to follow proper procedures just like the first time and taxpayers like you and me would have further enriched the pockets of the law firm and attorneys of Carlsmith Ball to the tune of $10 million by then.
Sue Matsumoto is a resident of Kailua-Kona
