A day before construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope was expected to resume, opponents made their way to the summit of Hawaii’s tallest mountain Tuesday to build a second ahu, or stone alter, within the project boundary.
“It’s important for us to be able to continue our traditions and our practices that our ancestors have done, so we can show our children that they are not lost,” said a cheerful and out-of-breath Mehana Kihoi, as she picked out stones to be included in the structure.
Protest organizer Kahookahi Kanuha said the ahus symbolize the Hawaiian culture and were built as a way of retaking a place considered sacred by its people.
“This is not a place of strictly Western scientific practices,” he said of Mauna Kea. “This is a cultural place, this is a religious place, this is a geological place, this is a spiritual place.”
Despite yet another verbal warning on Tuesday that they would be trespassing, a group of about two dozen protesters, mostly Native Hawaiians who call themselves protectors of the mountain, walked passed security guards stationed at the entrance of the TMT site. After stopping to pray and chant around an ahu they built on the TMT access road the day before, the group made its way down to a circular area where the telescope itself is planned to be built.
Rock by rock, they constructed a second ahu, while security guards contracted by TMT stood by and watched. No trespass notices were issued.
Kanuha said the group did not erect the structures with the intent of them being taken down, but understands that is a possibility. If that happens, he said, it would be a “powerful image for the world to see” and an example of TMT’s “blatant disregard for the culture and for the people.”
Asked whether TMT planned to remove the ahus today, a spokesperson referred comment to the Office of Mauna Kea Management. Director Stephanie Nagata couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.
“We’re aware of the ahus and we’re definitely assessing the situation right now,” said Dan Meisenzahl, University of Hawaii spokesman. The Mauna Kea management office operates under UH-Hilo.
On Saturday, TMT announced it would resume construction of the $1.4 billion telescope this morning, nearly three months after protests brought the project to a halt. On April 2, 31 people were arrested for blocking construction crews.
Before heading to the summit Tuesday, protesters met with Capt. Richard Sherlock of the Hawaii County Police Department. While project opponents promised they will remain peaceful, Sherlock explained that today’s police presence is not a show of force, but to ensure public safety.
“If it comes to the arrest part again, I plead it remains non-violent,” he said.
Kanuha said that while he hasn’t put out a call to opponents, he expects a large crowd and that today’s protest will remain peaceful.
Rumors that the Hawaii National Guard have been called in to maintain order on Mauna Kea today appear to be just that — rumors.
“No civil authorities have asked for our assistance,”Lt. Col. Charles Anthony, a spokesman for the Department of Defense, said by phone Monday.
Assistant Chief Henry Tavares said HPD’s primary concern is safety for all those involved and that everyone obeys the law. He would not discuss how many officers might be present.
“There will be police presence on the mountain, and we will be prepared to take necessary action,” he said.
Reporter Tom Callis contributed to this report.
Email Chris D’Angelo at cdangelo@hawaiitribune-herald.com.