Construction has begun on a large bingo hall planned by the tribe in Aquinnah — and tribal leaders have issued a stern warning to the town and the Martha’s Vineyard Commission to not interfere.

Developers who want to build the nation’s first large-scale wind farm in ocean waters south of Martha’s Vineyard saw strong support and also some criticism at a public hearing before the Martha’s Vineyard Commission Thursday night.

The Martha’s Vineyard Airport Commission voted this week to hire a New York-based search firm to help find a new director to replace Ann Richart, who will leave in May.

Public comment on the proposed expansion at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport is running strongly against the plan, airport commissioners learned at their meeting Thursday.

Vineyard Wind is set to go before the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for a public hearing next week, offering a more detailed view of the giant renewable energy project.