Waimea residents are speaking in support of hosting the world's largest telescope on Mauna Kea.

Nine of the 16 people who spoke favored the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope at a meeting Tuesday evening. A few opposed the telescope and the rest were ambivalent.

Some Native Hawaiian groups say Mauna Kea is sacred, and argue the telescope would defile the Big Island volcano.

Judi Steinman is the executive officer of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce. She says chamber members see the telescope as a way to strengthen the economy.

Meetings are being held to allow the public to express its views on the proposed project.