Telescope Info for the Regents Now on Agenda

We noted in a prior blog post that the Regents are schedule to discuss the Hawaiian telescope (Thirty Meter Telescope or TMT) on Thursday. We also noted that it was odd that the topic was listed, but with no attachment, particularly because of the controversy surrounding the project. The item is on the agenda in part because Regents chair John Pérez in an earlier meeting promised it would be discussed at some point in response to public comments by opponents.

There is now an attachment. Most of it is devoted to the history, potential uses of, and costs of the telescope. But it also contains information on the controversy in Hawaii:

...The TMT project (Project) has engaged with the local community in Hawaii for more than a decade, working with the Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners to identify design choices for the TMT that minimize adverse impacts on Maunakea while creating local programs for Big Island students and teachers that provide educational and STEM workforce development benefits. The TMT project also agreed to paying substantial annual rent that provides resources for stewardship of the Science Reserve at Maunakea. Many in Hawaii, including some in the Native Hawaiian community, saw the TMT approach as setting a new higher standard for developing a project within Hawaii by integrating local and cultural interests into the fabric of the project.

Nevertheless, there is a group of peaceful opponents (primarily comprised of Native Hawaiians) who are strongly opposed to the Project. They have taken legal and other actions, including road blockades, social media and grassroots campaigns, to prevent the Project from being able to access Maunakea to begin construction. This has resulted in a significant delay in the Project that was slated to begin construction in 2015. Before Covid-19 travel restrictions were imposed, members of the Project team and TIO Board were involved in a mediation process called ho’oponopono with various Native Hawaiian elders. Although there is hope that ho’oponopono will result in some level of reconciliation with the larger Native Hawaiian community, it is not reasonable to expect the process to ever result in full support of the project. The possible contraction and concept of TMT on Maunakea has become a rallying symbol for many of the historical and current injustices that affect Native Hawaiians, even though it is unrelated to these real and serious issues... 

Full document at https://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/regmeet/july20/b2.pdf.

Meanwhile, news reports from Hawaii indicate that there will not be any construction related to the TMT until 2021:

...Gordon Squires, vice president of external affairs for the TMT International Observatory, announced on Hawaii News Now Sunrise that construction will probably not happen until sometime after spring or summer of 2021.

“With the pandemic and other factors that have come in, winter seems like a long ways away, but it’s not that far away and for us to resume construction activities on site, winter on Mauna Kea just isn’t feasible,” Squires said. Despite this, Squires said, “We’re absolutely committed to finding a way forward in Hawaii.” ...

Full story at https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/07/15/construction-tmt-project-wont-start-until-after-spring-or-summer/.

It should be noted that the agenda lists the telescope as a discussion item, so no decision should be expected at this meeting.