It was encouraging to learn that the “protectors” on Mauna Kea reached an agreement with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to remove a large tent and end their 24-hour vigil near the summit. The situation was getting dicey. The protesters kept their presence on Mauna Kea in defiance of a DLNR emergency rule prohibiting nighttime camping in the area. DLNR warned that it would remove the tent on Thursday; and with colder weather coming on, the health and safety of the protesters needed to be taken into account as well. Even so, one of the group’s leaders said the group will continue to protest against the Thirty Meter Telescope during the day.

It’s a common-sense compromise, and an example for the future.

Loss of TMT would not be only thing we lose

Speaking of the future, a University of Hawaii business professor has estimated the potential financial cost of failing to build the Thirty Meter Telescope — and the numbers are disturbing.

The losses could add up: $20 million per year less in local spending, $10 million per year less in local income, and the loss of more than 275 potential jobs. There’s also the $1 million per year in lease payments, $1 million for Hawaii STEM programs and another $1 million for Hawaii island workforce development.

Of course, that doesn’t include the incalculable loss of astronomical research and potential discoveries the telescope would enable. Perhaps to those who adamantly oppose the telescope, this is acceptable. For those who think otherwise, such losses are beyond unfortunate.