Telescopes atop Haleakala, Maui.

The telescope would be developed by the U.S. Solar Research Observatory in conjunction with the university, which operates the Mees Solar Observatory at the summit of the 10,023-foot mountain.

The only uncertainty now is money. The National Science Foundation, which has contributed $10 million to the project, needs to approve the rest of the money.

The solar telescope would be the second-costliest ground-based telescope in the world, behind the $300 million Subaru telescope on Mauna Kea. The project would create an estimated 50 jobs on Maui and might result in the relocation of the National Solar Observatory staff from Tucson, Ariz.

UH astronomy officials said they doubt that financing will be a problem, considering the project's high scientific review ratings, but it could take a year or two because of budget constraints.