Scoping meetings for the environmental impact statement being prepared for the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope will be held this week in Ka'u, Hilo and Pahoa.

The $1 billion next-generation optical and infrared telescope would be built on about four acres near the summit of Mauna Kea, a mountain considered sacred by Native Hawaiians. The environmental study is to evaluate the potential impacts of the project.

The meetings will be at the Ka'u High School/Pahala Elementary School Cafeteria at 5 tonight; at Keaukaha Elementary School Cafeteria at 6 p.m. tomorrow; and at the Pahoa High School Cafeteria at 5 p.m. Wednesday

Copies of the environmental impact statement preparation notice are available at www.tmt-hawaiieis.org.