HILO, Hawaii – The next hearing in the Thirty Meter Telescope contested case will be on Monday, October 31.

There is no proceeding on today (Friday) at the Grand Naniloa Hotel Crown Room in Hilo.

Following a marathon 11 hour cross-examination of astronomer Gunther Hasinger on Thursday, hearing officer Riki May Amano announced that the testimony of TMT EIS author James Hayes will resume. Hasinger and Hayes are both witnesses called by the University of Hawaii at Hilo, which has the burden of proof in the quasi-judicial hearing.

Following Hayes, Amano agreed to allow UH to present master navigator Chad Kalepa Bayaban, who soon will depart the island to rejoin the Hokule’a on the Malama Honua world-wide voyage.

As Amano explained the scheduling to the remaining participants Thursday night, one participant objected to even holding a hearing on Monday, which coincides with Halloween.

“The time of Lono,” Hank Fergerstrom explained. “This is Makahiki season. It is contrary to talk about worship of the devil at the time of Makahiki.”

When Amano said she was not sure how many people felt that way, Fergerstrom told her he thought “practically everyone in this room would feel that way.”

“I appreciate and I’m sorry,” Amano told Fergerstrom, “but we have to go to hearing on Monday.”

The October 31st hearing continue to be live streamed on Na Leo TV.