HILO, Hawaii – Questions about the status of Mauna Kea as ceded lands were disallowed during cross-examination on Wednesday, part of the ongoing the Thirty Meter Telescope contested case hearing.

University of Hawaii attorneys objected to the line of questioning posed by Hank Fergerstrom to their witness, the Office of Mauna Kea Management senior advisor, Wally Ishibashi. Their objection was sustained by the hearing officer, retired judge Riki May Amano.

Earlier in the contested case, Amano agreed to narrow the scope of the proceeding by setting the issues, which did not include the issue of ceded lands or the political status of the State of Hawaii.

Retired Judge Riki May Amano is the hearing officer in the Thirty Meter Telescope contested case hearing.