The state Supreme Court this afternoon granted a request for an emergency stay blocking crews from working at the Thirty Meter Telescope construction site through Dec. 2. 

The motion, filed late Monday, argued that work would cause irreparable harm to the project’s work site on Mauna Kea’s northern plateau. 

The motion was filed by the Mauna Kea Hui, the same group that has appealed its challenge to the $1.4 billion project to the state Supreme Court. 

“That is excellent news,” Mauna Kea Hui leader Kealoha Pisciotta said. 

Pisciotta said she was hoping the court would agree that the TMT shouldn’t move on construction while a ruling on the fate of the project remains up in the air. 

“They’re putting everyone at risk by going forward,” Pisciotta said. “They should be yielding and making sure everything is done legally, lawfully and correctly.” 

But Gov. David Ige said this morning that TMT is sending only a work crew for equipment maintenance and repairs. That, he said, doesn’t signal the start of construction on the $1.4 billion telescope. 

“The maintenance and equipment repair work TMT plans to undertake will protect the environment and enhance public safety as we head into the winter season. This is not the start of construction of the telescope,” Ige said in a statement. 

“As governor, I am committed to upholding the law and providing safe access for those who need to get to the summit of Mauna Kea, and that includes those involved with the TMT project. Our primary concern is for the safety of all.” 

Protest leaders on Tuesday were calling for supporters to gather at the mountain in anticipation of TMT work crews Wednesday morning traveling to the work site.