Who We Are

TMT is a non-profit collaboration between the University of California, the California Institute of Technology, the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the countries of Canada, India, and Japan. Sited at Maunakea, the TMT would solidify the position of Hawaii as a World leader in research in astronomy and astrophysics.

A History of Engagement

  • 10+ years of community discussions on Hawaii Island and throughout the state.
  • A design based on community input and a keen understanding of the natural and cultural history of Maunakea and of the concerns over the past management of the mountain.
  • Consultation and collaboration with the Hawaiian community to address a range of cultural, environmental, educational and economic issues.

A Model of Sustainable Astronomy

  • TMT will be located 500 feet below the summit.
  • TMT’s site has no archaeological shrines or features, no endangered plants, no endangered insects and no burials.
  • TMT is not visible from any of the places that people consider the most sacred on the mountain.
  • TMT will use a special reflective aluminum-like coating to reflect the ambient environment and reduce the visibility of the structure.
  • TMT will be visible from just 14 percent of Hawaii Island.
  • TMT will not impact the aquifer.
  • TMT will leave no waste on the mountain.
  • TMT is highly energy efficient and will receive its electricity from the electrical grid.
  • TMT will not prevent traditional and customary native Hawaiian practices.
  • TMT will be accessible to everyone on Maunakea.
  • TMT will pay $1 million in annual lease rent; 80 percent will go to the Office of Maunakea Management for stewardship of the mountain and 20 percent will go to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
  • TMT will make an annual contribution of $1 million to The Hawaii Island New Knowledge (THINK) Fund to better prepare Hawaii Island students to master STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and to become the workforce for higher paying science and technology jobs.
  • TMT will form and sustain a $1 million a year Workforce Pipeline Program that will lead to a highly qualified pool of local workers.

Why People Support Us

TMT is supported by people of all ethnic groups, including native Hawaiians.

Their reasons include:

  • TMT’s commitment to better the future for Hawaii Island’s children through the THINK Fund and Workforce Pipeline Program.
  • TMT’s commitment to a new paradigm of astronomy on Maunakea, founded on integrating culture, science, sustainability and education.
  • TMT went through a lengthy process that was approved by the Court and by the State.
  • TMT has the legal right to begin construction on Maunakea.

How Hawaii Benefits from TMT

Here are just some of the ways TMT positively impacts the Hawaii community:

  • Young People’s Education – TMT is committed to contributing to the future of Hawaii’s children through its THINK Fund and Workforce Pipeline Program.
  • Economy – TMT will bring several hundred million dollars in construction revenue for Hawaii-based companies. The project will also create 300 union construction jobs.
  • Long-Term Jobs on Hawaii Island – once completed, TMT will expend about $50 million annually in observatory operations and employ about 140 employees. Our commitment is to fill these positions with as many Hawaii residents as possible.
  • Maunakea Stewardship – TMT has committed to a lease rent of $1 million annually, with $800,000 going to support stewardship of the mountain’s resources by the Office of Maunakea Management.
  • Native Hawaiian Programs – Twenty percent of TMT’s annual lease rent will go to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for the benefit of the native Hawaiian population it serves.
  • Scientific Research and Discoveries – TMT will add to the best astronomical research in the world that is happening on Maunakea, cementing Hawaii’s reputation as the international leader in astronomical science. The University of Hawaii’s nationally recognized Institute for Astronomy will also benefit from the important infrastructure TMT will provide to enhance students’ learning by studying the universe.

For these and more facts about TMT on Maunakea, visit the Get The Facts page.

Latest Status

Latest Poll Shows 2-1 Margin in Support of TMT on Maunakea

The results of a new scientific poll show Hawaii residents continue to support the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. The public opinion poll conducted in March 2020 by Ward Research, Inc. shows that 61 percent of Hawaii residents support moving ahead with construction of TMT, with 32 percent opposed.

Among the key findings in the latest poll:

  • 92 percent of Hawaii residents agree there should be a way for science and Hawaiian culture both to exist on Maunakea
  • 83 percent of Hawaii residents agree that the protest on Maunakea is really about issues larger than TMT, such as Hawaiian homelands, overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom, and land management
  • 80 percent of Hawaii residents agree that peaceful protests are fine but have no tolerance for protests that result in laws being broken
  • 79 percent of Hawaii residents agree that the government is responsible for providing safe construction access to the TMT site
  • 76 percent agree that TMT will help create good paying jobs and economic and educational benefits for those living on Hawaii Island
  • 65 percent of Hawaii residents agree that failure to move forward with TMT will lead to the departure of Hawaii’s $167-million astronomy industry

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Latest Status

TMT Sponsors $50,000 Hawaii Island Online STEM Learning Program

Unfortunately, thousands of students across Hawaii will be out of school for the next several months due to the coronavirus crisis. With parents taking on a larger teaching role to make sure their kids continue to learn and grow while sequestered at home, the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project has awarded a $50,000 grant to the Hilo-based Hawaii Science and Technology Museum to fund its innovative online STEM learning program.

Hawaii Science and Technology Museum’s Online STEM Learning Program project-based learning activities and innovative science lessons have been designed to help parents, teachers and kids so the kids don’t miss out on critical development. The program will serve 500 students in grades K-8 in the Department of Education’s Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area in May, June and July.
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The Food Basket Receives $100,000 Donation From TMT to Meet Growing Demand for Food Assistance on Hawaii Island

The Food Basket, Hawaii Island’s food bank, has received a $100,000 donation from the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) to meet the growing demand for food assistance on the island in the wake of COVID-19. The funding will be used to support The Food Basket’s existing programs, including Ohana Drops, the Kupuna Pantry and Da Box Program.

“We’re incredibly grateful to TMT for this generous gift that will have a significant and meaningful impact in the community,” said The Food Basket Executive Director Kristin Frost Albrecht. “Calls for food assistance have tripled since the COVID-19 crisis began, and TMT’s $100,000 donation will allow us to help anywhere between 2,000 to 20,000 people in a single month, depending on the program.”
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Get the Facts

EDUCATION

TMT worked with the community to develop programs that will prepare Hawaii Island students for future STEM jobs.

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ENVIRONMENT

TMT is committed to a model of sustainable astronomy; one that respects the unique environment of Maunakea.

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CULTURE

Great care was taken to identify the best location for TMT out of respect for Maunakea’s rich history and the spiritual beliefs of native Hawaiian culture.

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ECONOMY

Astronomy directly supports about 1,000 jobs in Hawaii and has a total economic impact of $167.86 million statewide.

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SCIENCE

Given its advanced technology, TMT will enable scientific discoveries that we cannot even begin to anticipate today.

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Community Supporting TMT

...IN THE COMMUNITY

Hawaii’s business community support TMT because of the many benefits it will bring to Hawaii Island, the state and its people.

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...ON SOCIAL MEDIA

TMT supporters are speaking out for science, education, the environment, culture and community.

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...IN THE NEWS

Community members are voicing their support through opinion-editorials and letters to the editor.

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...IN THE POLLS

Multiple polls have shown that there is majority support in Hawaii for TMT on Maunakea.

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We Asked, You Answered

A statewide scientific public opinion poll was conducted in March 2020 by Ward Research, Inc., an independent research firm based in Honolulu, Hawaii. Ward Research quota sampled for key demographic characteristics (e.g. age, ethnicity, gender, and island of residence). The demographics of the sample match the demographics of the community based on Census data. The margin of error is +/- 4.3%.

 Yes/Agree   No/Disagree

Do you agree or disagree that there should be a way for science and Hawaiian culture to co-exist on Maunakea?

92%
7%

Do you support moving ahead with construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea?

61%
32%

Do you agree or disagree that TMT will provide good paying jobs, economic and educational benefits for those living on Hawaii Island?

76%
22%

Latest News

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