Ten arrested on Mauna Kea
DLNR says it will arrest no one else today.
UPDATE: the governor’s office released a statement later in the day confirming that 11 were arrested, not 10.
Governor Ige is on the mainland for a conference about renewable energy. While he is away, 10 citizens of Hawaii were arrested on Mauna Kea today for physically impeding construction crews for the controversial Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT) project, which has resumed with the blessing of the state. One of those arrested was Ku Kiai Mauna movement leader Kahookahi Kanuha. On behalf of the governor, Chief of Staff Mike McCartney released the following statement:
Statement on TMT
By Chief of Staff Mike McCartney on behalf of Governor David Ige
It is our belief that there will be mutual respect and aloha on Wednesday and in the days ahead as TMT restarts construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope.TMT has the approvals needed to proceed with construction. We respect those who oppose the project and their right to peaceably assemble and to protest in an orderly and civil manner.
The State of Hawai‘i’s primary concern is the health and safety of its people. The state and Hawai‘i County are working together to uphold the law and ensure safety on roadways and on Mauna Kea, while allowing the people their right to peacefully and lawfully protest.
There were at least 500 people who gathered on the mountain today to prevent construction crews from continuing work on the TMT. Mileka Lincoln of Hawaii News Now reports that the crews only made it about 1.5 miles up the mountain. Here is a video she posted of the DLNR officer tearfully apologizing to the protesters and informing them that the officers would be turning around.
#BREAKINGNEWS: Hawaii DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) agents just informed the hundreds of protestors who have gathered to prevent the Thirty Meter Telescope construction, that officers & TMT workers will be turning around and no longer asking anyone to leave or make any further arrests. More than 700 people gathered to stand in what they say is protection of a sacred Native Hawaiian space. Seven hours after protestors began lining up to prevent construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on the on the summit of Mauna Kea, only 10 people have been arrested and the TMT crew only made it about 1.5 miles up the road. More details tonight on Hawaii News Now #HawaiiNewsNow #HINews #BehindTheScenes #WeAreYourSource
Posted by Mileka Lincoln on Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Photo posted to Instagram by @kaikea_____, posted here under fair-use