State website allegedly hacked by group opposed to TMT during special UH Regents meeting

The official website of the Hawaii state government was allegedly hacked by an online group opposed to construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea.  A Hawaii Community Affairs official confirms the telescope's website was hacked as well.

Claims of a cyber-attack in support of the “We Are Mauna Kea” movement came as the University of Hawaii Board of Regents listened to several hours of emotional testimony in Hilo on Sunday.

In its blog,

, an organization tied to the cyber attacker known as "Anonymous" claims it shutdown the two sites.

The site appeared to be back up and running at 2:30 Sunday afternoon. But Hawaii News Now noticed it was down since around noon. On the online group's blog, they posted screen shots of the downed website, plus a message that read, "Nothing will ever justify the destruction of the ecosystems; filthy money can never replace them. Stand with Hawaiian natives against TMT (Thirty Meter Telescope)."
The message also included the hashtag "#wearemaunakea."

State officials tell Hawaii News Now their Security Operations Center is investigating the incident and the website is currently operational.

Meanwhile in Hilo, University of Hawaii Board of Regents held another special meeting. That's because a week and a half ago, not everyone who signed up to testify got a chance to be heard during the three-and-a-half hour meeting because of time restrictions.

A UH spokesman says on Sunday, almost 400 people attended, 43 of them testified in four and a half hours. More than half of those who signed up to testify, didn't get a chance to, even though another hour was added to the meeting. The spokesman said not everyone followed the three-minute limit. According to the spokesman, five people who testified on Sunday are in support of the project and one person was neutral.

The regents did not vote or take any action on the project on Sunday. UH Regents approved the construction of the TMT in 2009.

The Office of Mauna Kea Management was scheduled to make a presentation on Sunday. However, they did not get a chance to before the cutoff time of 4:30 p.m.

There are currently 13 telescopes on the mountain, 12 of which are operational. The university says a few may shut down operations, which were expected.

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