Protesters on Mauna Kea welcomed a weeklong moratorium on construction of the world’s largest telescope Tuesday but said they aren’t letting their guard down and will continue to keep vigil at the 9,200-foot level.

"We cannot stand down," declared Kealoha Pisciotta, a longtime Mauna Kea astronomy critic and one of the leaders of the "protectors" of the mountain.

Gov. David Ige announced the temporary halt in construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Tuesday after talking with TMT Observatory Corp., developers of the $1.4 billion telescope, and leaders from the University of Hawaii and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

"We agreed there would be value to have some further dialogue on Mauna Kea," Ige said. "I do know it’s a significant project, and this will give us some time to engage in further conversations with the various stakeholders that have an interest in Mauna Kea."

TMT Project Manager Gary Sanders said in a statement that the nonprofit company agrees with Ige’s request for a timeout this week and for an ongoing dialogue on issues. But Sanders also said the state Board of Land and Natural Resources granted the company a permit after a seven-year public process and environmental review that included contested proceedings and many public hearings.

"The TMT project has proceeded in full compliance with the law," he said.

While some expressed skepticism a week will make a difference in the Mauna Kea standoff, the moratorium might help to diffuse the controversy while Native Hawaiians from across the state are on Hawaii island for the Merrie Monarch Festival, which ends Saturday.

The protesters are largely Native Hawaiians concerned about what they say will be the desecration of a sacred mountain. They are also worried about the destruction of native shrines and burials.

On Sunday a sizable caravan of vehicles containing Merrie Monarch participants was scheduled to leave Hilo and head up the mountain in support of the protest.

On Friday, OHA trustee Peter Apo called for a monthlong moratorium giving the governor time to assemble a panel and start reassessing the state’s oversight of the ceded lands on which the 11,288-acre Maunakea Science Reserve sits. Apo argues that the state doesn’t give cultural concerns the same weight as environmental and other issues as it should.

"In my opinion, a week is not enough time (for a resolution), but I’m willing to be surprised," Apo said Tuesday.

In a news conference, Ige credited UH President David Lassner and OHA Chairman Robert Lindsey for their leadership on the issue and added he would continue to work with them in the coming days.

Asked who would pay for any construction claims linked to the delay, Ige responded that cost wasn’t part of the discussion leading to the timeout.

"I do want to thank the parties for being willing to discuss it without so much of a focus on the cost element," the governor said.

He added, "There have been many decisions made previously on Mauna Kea and about Mauna Kea, and I think that those decisions have to be honored, and my active engagement at this point is understanding and having dialogue with many stakeholders and organizations that care about Mauna Kea from all perspectives."

Pisciotta, president of Mauna Kea Anaina Hou, welcomed the one-week respite.

"It’s a good sign that the governor recognizes the gravity of the situation — because it is grave," she said.

On Thursday, Hawaii County police and state Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement officers arrested and cited 31 people for trespassing and blocking work vehicles from reaching the construction site.

Crews have not returned to the construction site since the arrests, but the protesters have continued to maintain a 24-hour presence on the mountain.

Pisciotta said the moratorium will provide some rest and time for healing, as well as a chance to regroup and rethink.

"It’s a time to be mindful," she said. But, she added, they aren’t letting up.

Pisciotta said the group over the last week or so has found tremendous support. Thousands of dollars have been donated through social media campaigns, she said, and more than 4,000 people added their names to a petition calling for an immediate halt to TMT construction.

More than 1,000 people gathered on Mauna Kea on Saturday to chant, sing, dance and rally in support of the mountain, she said. Joining the group were Hollywood actors Jason Momoa and Kala Alexander, plus surfer Dustin Barca, who was among those arrested Thursday.

The public figures are helping to build public support and raise funds for both the mountain vigil and for legal appeals, Pisciotta said.

"We cant thank everyone enough," said Kahookahi Kanuha, who was one of the protesters arrested Thursday. "The amount of support we have received over the past week is absolutely unbelievable and simply amazing.

"I am not quite sure our people have seen a movement like this in their lifetime, and I think it’s a testament to the fact that our people have been ignited and are ready to move forward and resolidify ourselves throughout the world as a people and a country," Kanuha said.

In related news, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Monday announced that his government will contribute up to $243.5 million over the next 10 years to the Thirty Meter Telescope.

Canada joins Japan, China, India and the United States as partners in the venture, described as the most advanced and powerful optical telescope on Earth, capable of viewing galaxies at the edge of the observable universe.

Most of the money will be spent in Canada, creating high-tech jobs in the telescope’s construction and assembly, Harper said. The investment will also ensure a viewing share for Canadian researchers once the telescope is up and working.