Crews attempted to access the site last month, but they turned around after encountering boulders in the road and hundreds of protesters.
Advertisement
FILE – In this June 24, 2015, file photo, a Department of Land and Natural Resources official talks with Thirty Meter Telescope protesters at one of many blockades that started at the Mauna Kea visitor center, stopping construction vehicles from driving up to the summit of the mountain, about 40 miles west of Hilo, Hawaii.
The University of Hawaii, chief developer of the telescope, kept a log on the behavior of the protesters since late march, when the protests began. The rule ostensibly would allow construction to resume on the Thirty Meter Telescope, the subject of months of protests.
Incidents recorded include a bomb threat made on Facebook, protesters making a throat-slashing gesture at telescope workers, and an unidentified woman shouting to kill “haoles” – white people in Hawaiian – and tourists. Dozens of protesters were arrested during the two failed attempts to restart construction.
“Everything has been pono,” he said, using the Hawaiian term for proper or respectful behavior.
“There are many examples of protesters stepping in and helping mitigate situations”, he said.
“I support these rules because of the unsafe and illegal behavior of many of those who have camped across the street from the visitor station”, he said.
“Protectors of Mauna Kea”, as they call themselves, believe the new rules would cut into the very rights of Native Hawaiians.
Protest leader Kahookahi Kanuha, center left, testifies before a Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting in Honolulu on Friday, July 10, 2015, against a state proposal to limit the ability of protesters to access Mauna Kea.
Chris Yuen, a a part of the surf board, announced they are in need of the features to keep purchase toward the mountain.
Advertisement
Board Member Thomas Oi cautioned Chin that the rules would hurt others, specifically hunters: “To punish one group you’re punishing the whole island”. Attorney General Douglas Chin testified during Friday’s BLNR meeting that he personally saw the tent erected during his visit to the mountain. State officials said that everyone who wants to testify will be heard.
