LT. GOVERNOR RELEASES STATEMENT ON THIRTY METER TELESCOPE

Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. today issued the following statement regarding the TMT Observatory Corporation’s selection of Mauna Kea as the preferred site to build the world’s largest telescope:

“During these challenging times, this $1.2 billion project will provide our state with high paying jobs and opportunities to expand our high tech industry.  

“Hawai‘i is the best place in the world for astronomical observations, and the TMT will keep us at the forefront of studying the universe.

“Now that Hawai‘i has been selected, more work needs to be done to ensure TMT can begin construction.

“Mauna Kea is a place of cultural significance and sacredness to Native Hawaiians.

“Any development will need to be handled in collaboration with Native Hawaiians.”

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MEDIA NOTE: Photo attached of Lt. Governor Aiona (right) and Dr. Rolf-Peter Kudritzki, director of the University of Hawai‘i at Mânoa’s Institute for Astronomy (left), overlooking a potential site for the Thirty Meter Telescope.

For more information, contact:

Travis Taylor
Communications Director                                                        
Office of the Lieutenant Governor                      
(808) 586-0283