At issue is the TMT's planned location on Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano worshiped by some Hawaiians as the piko that connects the Hawaiian Islands to the heavens.

争议的焦点是30米望远镜所在冒纳凯阿火山计划的选址，该休眠火山被一些夏威夷人供奉为脐带，将夏威夷岛屿和天堂连接在一起。