Thirty Meter Telescope

On July 21, 2009, Mauna Kea on the Big Island was selected as the future site for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), which upon completion will be the world’s largest optical telescope. Possessing more analytic capabilities than any other telescope currently in existence, TMT is expected to place Hawaii at the forefront of innovation and scientific achievement.

The Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP) has been a long-time supporter of TMT, helping to educate residents about the many benefits of bringing the telescope to Hawaii – in particular the many job opportunities that will come with a project of such large scope. TMT is also expected to cost more than $1 billion to build – resulting in a potential influx of Federal funding that will provide a healthy shot to Hawaii’s economy.

In addition, TMT has also pledged its support to improve the quality of life for Big Island residents. In addition to bringing new technologies to Hawaii, TMT has also committed long-term community support grants that will provide Big Island students with funding for enrichment activities and other educational opportunities.

In a letter written in support of TMT, PRP executive director Kyle Chock expressed this sentiment: “This project will not only benefit the worldwide scientific community as a whole, but will also serve to directly benefit those of Native Hawaiian ancestry, residents of the Big Island, and most importantly, will create work for numbers of unemployed construction workers on the Big Island, helping them to provide for their families during these tough economic times.”

PRP continues to monitor this project and is eager to see construction on TMT commence in the near future.