A representative of the Thirty Meter Telescope is confident that the project can secure additional funding in order to be eligible for federal money.
A survey released Thursday by the National Academy of Sciences recommended the National Science Foundation grant the TMT $800 million in federal funds, but made that funding contingent on TMT filling a $310 million hole in its estimated $2.6 billion budget.
Kerry Slater, chief of staff and vice president of communications for the TMT International Observatory, told the Tribune on Friday that TMT’s major partners — which include government agencies in India, Japan, China and Canada, the University of California, and the California Institute of Technology — remain committed to the project and are determined to seek other funding sources as it goes forward.
Similarly, Slater said the partners remain convinced that Maunakea is the ideal location for the project, while the Canary Islands in Spain are a less preferable alternative site.
“Maunakea is the best place in the world for astronomy,” Slater said.
Slater said the TMT organization was pleased with the results of the survey, calling it “a validation of the transformative nature of the (TMT) project.”
The survey also noted the importance of improving the relationship between the astronomy community and indigenous communities, particularly Native Hawaiians.
Slater said TMT has taken that aspect of the survey seriously, and currently is focusing on engaging and connecting with the Hawaiian community on the Big Island.
Slater said TMT’s current project manager, Fengchuan Liu, regularly has private meetings with Native Hawaiian community members around the island to listen to their perspectives about the project.
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
