By: Ka'iu Kimura, HICC President
Aloha kākou,
As spring leaps upon us, many in our community await the process that the Department of Lands and Natural Resources will set to determine the future of the Thirty Meter Telescope. It is appropriate to reflect on the Chamber's commitment and support for the project.
TMT represents a new paradigm for astronomy in Hawai'i. Island residents, including HICC, see the possibility of a true triple bottom line benefit for Hawai'i Island, and our State. How will TMT impact people, our planet, and the economy?
People
* TMT will further humankind's quest to better understand our Universe since the beginning of time.
* TMT has brought five nations together to work collaboratively on this $1.4 billion project.
* TMT selected Maunakea as the world's best site for astronomy, amplifying the standing of the University of Hawai'i campuses.
* TMT's Community Benefit Package has already begun changing lives by offering financial assistance for students and classroom teachers.
* TMT's THINK Fund will provide $1million annually in STEM scholarships and programs for Hawai'i Island students.
* TMT's Workforce Pipeline Program will train and mentor local residents for new higher paying jobs.
* TMT will further humankind's quest to better understand our Universe since the beginning of time.
* TMT has brought five nations together to work collaboratively on this $1.4 billion project.
* TMT selected Maunakea as the world's best site for astronomy, amplifying the standing of the University of Hawai'i campuses.
* TMT's Community Benefit Package has already begun changing lives by offering financial assistance for students and classroom teachers.
* TMT's THINK Fund will provide $1million annually in STEM scholarships and programs for Hawai'i Island students.
* TMT's Workforce Pipeline Program will train and mentor local residents for new higher paying jobs.
Planet
* TMT abided by the community's request that the observatory be built below the summit of Maunakea in order to minimize cultural and natural resource impacts.
* TMT's Environmental Impact Statement was accepted without challenge.
* TMT's Cultural Impact Statement was accepted without challenge.
* TMT agreed to pay appropriate lease rent for its site on Maunakea.
* TMT will add both long- and short- term jobs.
* TMT will encourage new business growth in fields such as large data management to service the astronomy industry.
* TMT abided by the community's request that the observatory be built below the summit of Maunakea in order to minimize cultural and natural resource impacts.
* TMT's Environmental Impact Statement was accepted without challenge.
* TMT's Cultural Impact Statement was accepted without challenge.
* TMT agreed to pay appropriate lease rent for its site on Maunakea.
* TMT will add both long- and short- term jobs.
* TMT will encourage new business growth in fields such as large data management to service the astronomy industry.
While it may appear that Hawai'i is lacking support for TMT, nearly 70% of Hawai'i's citizens have expressed their support through a recent survey for building TMT here in Hawai'i.
Your Chamber participates in a statewide coalition of Hawai'i business organizations in support of TMT. This coalition shared these points listed above via a letter of encouragement to board members of the TMT project in hopes that the TMT board and staff would be affirmed of the commitment and support by members of this community.
The upcoming months will be critical in determining the fate of TMT and its existence on Maunakea. Our Chamber will continue to stay engaged in the process and in support of the project. We will provide as much information as we can moving forward.
Na'u me ka 'oia'i'o,
Ka'iu Kimura
Ka'iu Kimura
