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 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.

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.

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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