Federal Funding Withdrawn for Delayed and Contentious Thirty Meter Telescope Project
The budget request from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Trump administration has revealed that the agency will no longer fund the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) planned for construction atop Maunakea. Instead, the NSF will support the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) in Chile, a move that could spell doom for the $3 billion TMT project.
The NSF, facing a reduced budget of $9 billion—56% less than initially requested by the President—can only back one of the two U.S.-backed "extremely large telescope" projects due to financial limitations. Having chosen the GMT, the TMT will not progress to the final design phase and will not receive any additional NSF funding.
The TMT—first proposed in the early 2000s and boasting a 30-meter segmented mirror nearly three times the size of any currently operational—has faced numerous challenges over the years, including repeated delays, soaring costs, and intense protests from Native Hawaiians. Many consider Maunakea a sacred place, with construction of the telescope further desecrating the mountain that already hosts a dozen observatories.
Although undoubtedly a setback for the TMT collaboration, secured funding for the GMT is not guaranteed. Advancing to the final design phase "does not obligate the agency to provide any further funding" or approve construction, according to the NSF. This leaves TMT’s future uncertain, especially without a backup site and lingering community opposition.
Indigenous activist Healani Sonoda-Pale views the funding decision as a significant win for Native Hawaiians. Despite her skepticism regarding the administration's intentions, she sees this as an empowering moment for the community and an opportunity to continue protecting Maunakea and other sacred places in Hawaii.
Meanwhile, Gov. Josh Green and University of Hawaii officials remain silent on the matter, deferring comment to the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. Hawaii island Mayor Kimo Alameda, however, strongly opposes the proposed budget cuts, believing they will not only hinder astronomy in Hawaii but also jeopardize crucial educational and economic opportunities for Native Hawaiians.
Alameda emphasizes the importance of TMT in supporting scientific innovation while negotiating better terms for the island’s native people. If TMT were excluded from the equation, stewardship negotiations would likely stagnate, putting critical revenues earmarked for Native Hawaiian immersion and charter schools, as well as homestead programs, at risk.
Like many others, Hilo native Dakota Lee is torn about the TMT project. While recognizing the cultural significance of Maunakea and the need for greater sensitivity towards Native Hawaiians, Lee worries that defunding TMT could have far-reaching consequences for Hawaii's economy and educational system, both heavily dependent on scientific and research funding.
In response to these concerns, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (D, Hawaii) encourages Congress to exercise caution and collaborate in finding solutions that strengthen the community and secure a sustainable economic future for the islands.
[1] Enrichment Data: Tsai, A. M., (2023, May 6). National Science Foundation announces “no further funding” for Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea. Hawaii News Now [Online]. Available: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/05/06/national-science-foundation-announces-no-further-funding-thirty-meter-telescope-maunakea/ [Accessed May 19, 2023].[2] Plaut, J. (2023, March 22). TMT's fight for survival: Last hope for funding could come from Congress. Star-Advertiser [Online]. Available: https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/03/22/breaking-news/tmt-fights-for-survival-last-hope-for-funding-could-come-from-congress/ [Accessed May 19, 2023].[3] Enrichment Data: McNutt, R. (2023, May 5). National Science Foundation to cut funding for Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea. Associated Press [Online]. Available: https://apnews.com/article/science-technology-hawaii-funding-indigenous-people-astronomy-a53ddb6867d58c26884db5b5b8c350d8 [Accessed May 19, 2023].
- The National Science Foundation (NSF) switching its support from the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on Maunakea to the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) in Chile could lead to a significant shift in environmental-science, climate-change research, and education, given the importance of telescopes for science.
- The TMT's loss of funding may not only impact education-and-self-development opportunities, such as scientific innovation and immersion programs for Native Hawaiians, but also business partnerships and financial investments associated with the project.
- Indigenous communities, like Native Hawaiians, strive to preserve their sacred lands and environmental resources, leading some to oppose the TMT construction due to concerns about desecration. Such opposition highlights the need for better collaboration between scientific projects and local communities.
- As the TMT funding remains uncertain, entrepreneurs, investors, and educational institutions must examine alternative avenues for engaging in cutting-edge research and development, demonstrating the resiliency of the business, science, and education sectors in the face of unforeseen challenges.
