The nonprofit corporation that wants to build a giant telescope atop Mauna Kea is asking to participate in a hearing about the project’s construction permit.

Thirty Meter Telescope officials filed the request earlier this month with the state land board. According to the motion, TMT International Observatory should be a party in the proceeding because it stands to lose the most if a permit is not issued.

The $1.4 billion project is the focus of heated protests from those who say it will desecrate sacred land.

The state Supreme Court last year invalidated the project’s construction permit and ordered a new contested case hearing.

Currently the parties involved are a group of telescope opponents and the University of Hawaii, which leases the land from the state.