Thirty Meter Telescope Opponents Appeal To Key Project Funder

They’re planning to meet with the president of a foundation established by Gordon and Betty Moore that pledged $250 million to the project.

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(AP) — Leaders of a fight against building a giant telescope on a Hawaii mountain are in California trying to convince a financial backer of the project to withdraw support.

Kealoha Pisciotta says she and other opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope are scheduled to meet Wednesday with the president of a Palo Alto-based foundation established by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore and his wife.

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation pledged $250 million for the $1.4 billion project.

An artist’s rendering of the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope. Thirty Meter Telescope

Foundation spokeswoman Holly Potter declined to comment on the private meeting.

Pisciotta says it’s a last-ditch attempt to keep the telescope off Mauna Kea.

The Hawaii Supreme Court upheld the project’s construction permit.

Opponents say it will desecrate sacred land.

Supporters say it will bring educational and economic opportunities to the state.

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