Sustaining local opposition to Big Science: A case study of the Thirty Meter Telescope controversy

Big Science projects, which are extremely costly and typically revolve around large and complex instruments, are increasingly common in research. Proponents often frame Big Science as a “win-win” for all stakeholders, including for local communities. Yet local opposition to Big Science projects is common, although it is often either short-lived or fails to raise wider awareness. The story is different for the kiaʻi mauna (protectors of the mountain), a group largely composed of Native Hawaiians. This group has sustained opposition to the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on Mauna Kea, Hawaiʻi Island, since 2011 and has raised widespread attention for its advocacy. Combining social movement theory and the concept of place attachment, I investigate why the kiaʻi have been able to sustain such momentum. Based on 16 interviews that I conducted with Native Hawaiians, local community members, policymakers, and astronomers, I argue that six factors have been decisive for the resilience of opposition: multi-generational leaderful organization, grassroots resources, versatile tactics, anti-science counterframing, local and national political opportunity, as well as place attachment-driven commitment.