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TMT opposition leaders have made it clear that compromise is not possible.

UPDATED: The deadline to apply has been extended to Aug. 8.

The National Science Foundation also said it plans to host four meetings on the Big Island in August as it decides on whether to fund the project.

Other measures approved Tuesday would settle claims by Hawaiians on the homelands waitlist, and require judges to release some petty, non-violent offenders without bail.

A bill handing stewardship of the Big Island mountain to a new governing agency heads for a final vote.

If the bill clears a final floor vote in the House, it heads to the Senate where it faces potential opposition, including from the chair of a key Senate committee.

Native Hawaiians and environmentalists are calling for a cautious approach to protect cultural sites and biological resources in the decommissioning process.

Hawaiians are not unanimous in their opposition to the telescope and there is no religious authority to make decisions.

A bill lawmakers plan to introduce next session would create a new state agency to oversee Mauna Kea.

Updated: But the researchers said that funding should be contingent on better engagement with Native Hawaiians on Mauna Kea and other conditions.