Land board hears Big Island telescope arguments

The state Board of Land and Natural Resources met in Hilo on Tuesday to hear arguments on whether it should allow the world's largest optical telescope to be built at Mauna Kea's summit.

Board members gathered at county council chambers.  They listened to arguments in response to a hearing officer's report recommending that the board grant a permit for the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope.

Some Native Hawaiians are concerned a telescope would defile the mountain's sacred summit.  Environmentalists are worried it would harm the rare wekiu bug.