A Native Hawaiian-led summary of the current impact of constructing the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea

Maunakea, the proposed site of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), is a lightning-rod topic for Native Hawaiians, Hawai‘i residents, and the international astronomy community. In this paper we—Kanaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) natural scientists and allies—identify historical decisions that impact current circumstances on Maunakea and provide approaches to acknowledging their presence. Throughout this paper, we expand dialogue and inform actions utilizing a native Hawaiian concept known as kapu aloha, which “helps us internationalize our thoughts, words and deeds without harm to others”. Our aim is to provide an Indigenous viewpoint centered in Native Hawaiian perspectives on the impacts of the

TMT project on the Hawaiian community.