The testimony for and against granting a conservation district use permit for the Thirty Meter Telescope was actually a dead heat at the Hilo public hearing. However, KAHEA asserted most of the testimony was against this project. They claimed 51 individuals testified against and 31 were for the Thirty Meter Telescope’s CDUA. Nonetheless, I received a tip regarding this testimony today. There only was 24 and 26 individuals who testified for and against this project.
The Kona hearing had 28 individuals who testified. Nineteen individuals supported the Thirty Meter Telescope‘s conservation district use permit application, seven were against, and two were neutral.
The State LUC denied O’oma Beachside Village‘s petition urging the LUC to reconsider reclassifying O’oma from conservation to urban. I still firmly believe Dennis Moresco will likely file a lawsuit to reverse the LUC’s decisions. He and his partners have 35 million dollars tied up in this investment. Nevertheless, I hope Mr. Moresco decides cut his losses and sell O’oma to an entity that’ll preserve it for future generations.
Lastly, the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command replied to my e-mail regarding the Saddle Road improvement project (via Senator Inouye‘s office) today.
I was deeply concerned that Maui, not the Big Island, would be the next recipient of Defense Access Road funding. However, the MSDDC doesn’t have any plans for any defense access road projects on Maui, according to their letter. In addition, the last Kona side phase of the Saddle Road improvement project (between m.m 42 and Mamalahoa Highway) was certified by the MSDDC as important to the nation’s defense on April 9th, 2010. This action qualifies this phase for defense access road funding.
December 7th, 2010 at 8:30 PM
Aloha Aaron! Positive news on Saddle Road. Thank you for the update. Any idea what is the top elevation on the Saddle Road and at what mile marker? Am guessing 31 MM and about 5000 feet but not sure…thought you were the person to go to for the authoritative answer.
December 7th, 2010 at 8:32 PM
I believe Mauna Kea State Park (at m.m 35) is 6,600 feet above sea level.
December 7th, 2010 at 8:38 PM
Aloha Aaron! Appreciate the quick response. I had thought it was maybe the high point as well but past PTA Saddle appears to climb up another 500 feet before heading downhill to West Hawaii…and I think the Mauna Kea access road intersection is 5500 feet elevation…struck me that eventually if the highest elevation point was posted with a sign it would become a tourist photo site. Any additional info appreciated! Kind of amazing to think one can go from sea level to 6600 feet to sea level in the space of 1 hour and 20 minutes.
December 7th, 2010 at 8:49 PM
I did some quick research. The highest point on Saddle Road is 6670 feet (Humu’ula Saddle). This area comprises PTA, Mauna Kea State Park and the surrounding area.