Hawai'i's top court has approved construction of a 30-metre telescope on a mountain that is sacred to native Hawaiians.
Photo: TMT International Observatory
Work on the $US1.4 billion telescope was halted in 2015 when native Hawaiians protested against the construction on Mauna Kea.
There are already 13 telescopes at the top of the mountain, which is renowned in scientific communities for the clarity of its views of outer space.
But it is also sacred to native Hawaiians, who say the astronomers have for decades trampled on sacred grounds and burial sites with little respect.
After the State Supreme Court's ruling, they have already vowed to protest against the construction and pursue other legal means.