Hawaii Mauna Kea Telescope Protests: Native American Elders Arrested

The construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii is met with protests as thousands of people joined an effort to keep the observatory off the mountain.

Police, the Hawaiian National Guard and demonstrators had been engaged in a standoff since Monday, when construction was slated to start. On Wednesday, the police took away some of the protesters following an emergency proclamation by Hawaii governor David Ige that gives law enforcement authority to close areas and restrict access on Mauna Kea.

Protest leader Kealoha Pisciotta told the Associated Press that the police arrested about 30 elders who blocked the road. Some of these elders reportedly used canes and strollers to walk when they were arrested, while others were taken in wheelchairs. Those who could walk on their own were led away with their hands in zip ties.

CNN reported that after their arrest, the elders were asked to choose between getting a citation or leaving the area. Those who decided not to leave were taken to Police Cell Block in the town of Hilo. Those arrested will be arraigned on Thursday.

Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources spokesperson Dan Dennison said that 33 people were arrested, but they were almost immediately released.

He also admitted that the situation became emotional since some of the arresting officers are related to the demonstrators that they were taking into custody.

"We are proceeding with all respect for the Kupuna (elders) and everyone, and concern for everyone's safety, as we move forward with construction here on Mauna Kea,” Dennison said.

The protesters and others who oppose the Thirty Meter Telescope say the construction of the observatory can desecrate and damage the mountain.

Astronomers, on the other hand, eye the Mauna Kea, the the highest peak in Hawaii at nearly 14,000 feet, as the perfect site for the telescope. The atmosphere above the mountain is extremely dry and cloud free, which are crucial for astronomical observations.

Astronomers halted the operation of 13 existing telescopes on the mountain on Tuesday. Employees were evacuated amid growing protests that have blocked an access road to the mountain.

“This is a risk for us to have to step away at this point,” East Asian Observatory deputy director Jessica Dempsey told Hawaii News Now. “This is not a decision we came to lightly, but want to emphasize the importance of safety for our staffs and the facilities.”