Editorial: Losing TMT would cause major harm

It’s always been about more than a telescope. It’s been about fairness, the rule of law and state government meeting its commitments.

But it’s enlightening now to see the projections from a top University of Hawaii research official about the hard consequences that could result from losing the Thirty Meter Telescope project, the focus of a monumental protest centered on Mauna Kea, considered a sacred space by many Native Hawaiians.

The expected impact, as forecast by people positioned to know, would be stunning.

Star-Advertiser writer Tim Hurley sat down with Vassilis Syrmos, UH vice president for research and innovation, who said in a story this week that the failure of TMT to proceed with construction could mean sacrificing billions of dollars in research funding over a few decades.

That’s because the National Science Foundation, the principal source of these research grants, is now making its funding plans for the next decade. The long-sought approval of the TMT project put Hawaii in line to receive those billions for related astronomy research and instrumentation development; if TMT goes, so do the funds.

For Gov. David Ige and Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim, both responsible for resolving this impasse, this assessment underscores why the conflict can only rationally end with a settlement allowing TMT to proceed.

In plain fact, the state of Hawaii cannot afford to give up on the project, which offers a rare chance for the state to excel in a technological niche for which it is uniquely suited — and has worked hard over decades to achieve.

There is this week at least some glimmer of hope for an opening in what’s been a standoff for two months. Kim said he is discussing with various groups a proposal to transition the governance of the mountain to a new umbrella authority, including Native Hawaiians and other constituencies, not only the University of Hawaii.

This is now a direction worth exploring, given that past lapses in management of the summit campus has long come under fire. UH has in recent years stepped up its proper oversight duties, but the legacy of the university’s Mauna Kea management has been tough to overcome.

Achieving the right balance among the authority’s various advocates for science, environment and Hawaiian culture will be challenging, to put it mildly. Still, starting fresh, ultimately narrowing the project’s exposure to criticism, might be wise.

Kim’s negotiations likely means a pause to finalize a proposal, in hopes of forestalling any large-scale enforcement sweep. The past week has been especially tense, with a Sunday convoy of TMT opponents driving from East Oahu to Maili in a show of solidarity, and rumors of a sweep of Mauna Kea encampments flying about. This is a moment to reflect on what’s truly at stake for Hawaii, to provide some critical perspective on repercussions.

The money that would be spent on grants is revenue the university uses to sustain its mission. But more broadly, the money represents an investment in knowledge, by government and private funders. That, as well as enhanced educational opportunities for Hawaii students, must be recognized as a benefit to all.

The TMT International Observatory is a nonprofit organization. Yes, its work does offer potential for the relatively “clean” industry that grows up around astronomy — but economic development is nothing this state should shrug off, especially as signs of a coming recession continue to flash.

The imperative to respect Hawaii’s indigenous culture in constructing this world-class facility looms large. But it does not supplant the conclusion that this state needs and benefits from TMT, and vice versa. That’s the inescapable reality.