What will happen if TMT is not built on Mauna Kea?

It matters to many people if the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is not built in Hawaii. TMT has made an important difference to 26,000 students and 1,000 teachers.

Since 2015 Hawaii island students were recipients of of $2.2 million in grants for STEM programs, including $747,000 from TMT through the THINK Fund at Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF). Classrooms on Hawaii island have benefited from $250,000 in funds through DonorsChoose.org. from the THINK Fund at HCF. To date, 360 Hawaii island students received scholarships totalling $330,000.

There also is the Akamai Workforce Initiative summer internships in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields that have been in place since 2003, in which students have a chance to work at the observatories or high-tech industry. Some 350 students have participated in the program, and 150 recipients are currently working in STEM fields. Demographics of the Akamai Workforce are 36 percent women, 25 percent Native Hawaiian, 47 percent underrepresented minorities.

There is also the Hawaii Workforce Pipeline, which since 2009 has committed $1 million to 57 programs. Examples of this are the VEX IQ State Science Fair, University of California Lick Observatory Internship and Kealakehe High School RoboRiders.

There are many hard- working families and single moms who depend on TMT’s educational support. Students who compete in robotics look to TMT for financial support; it’s not easy to get funding for equipment and travel.

If and when it’s built atop Maunakea, TMT will pay $300,000 rent, which will incrementally increase to $1 million at “first light.” There will be 300 local union jobs during the eight- to 10-year construction phase. Upon completion, 140 local jobs will be available. About $26 million will be generated from observatory viewing. Moreover, TMT is committed to use Hawaii services and business.

TMT has raised the bar for astronomy on Maunakea, and recently, other observatories have stepped up with the Maunakea Scholars Program. Students have a chance to visit observatories and work on viewing stars with astronomers. The students must come up with a program to locate the star; viewing would usually cost $30,000.

Recently introduced legislation passed by the state Senate is worrying. Does our governing body realize what is at stake for astronomy on Maunakea if TMT is not built?

Our existing observatories have made long-range plans to work with TMT. Also, unfair charges were directed to the Office of Maunakea Management, which has received awards for protecting historic properties and conservation of flora and fauna while working on the smallest of budgets.

The 2017 University of Hawaii Board of Regents’ Malama Maunakea Resolution addressed issues of leases, land, decommissioning of telescopes and education of Native Hawaiian children. Finally we have funding and momentum to move forward for stewardship of Maunakea and education for the Native Hawaiian children. This is most important for Hawaii: education of our keiki, especially those in underserved areas, taking care of the environment, building pathways for careers for our future generations.

Apologies if this all reads like a math program. But those are the exact amounts Hawaii will lose if TMT is not built on Maunakea.

Veronica Ohara, who is part-Hawaiian, has an art background and is a potter.