'O Haleakalâ v. Board of Land & Natural Resources

OPINION OF THE COURT BY

RECKTENWALD, C.J.

This case concerns a conservation district use permit for construction of the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) on the island of Maui, in an area at the summit of Haleakalá that was set aside for astronomical observatories in 1961. Haleakalá is a site of great cultural and spiritual importance to the Native Hawaiian community. It also bears scientific significance for astronomical studies, and is a popular visitor destination.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources (Board or BLNR) granted a permit for the University of Hawai'i (UH) to construct…