Eight more people were arrested Wednesday at Mauna Kea for violating the emergency rule barring being in the area during night-time hours. ADVERTISING Eight more people were arrested Wednesday at Mauna Kea for violating the emergency rule barring being in
Eight more people were arrested Wednesday at Mauna Kea for violating the emergency rule barring being in the area during night-time hours.
Seven women and one man were arrested for being at a protest camp across the road from the Mauna Kea Visitors Center, which is within the restricted area, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. The emergency rule was passed in July by the Board of Land and Natural Resources and signed by Gov. David Ige.
This is the second time a group of people has been arrested on Mauna Kea for violating the rule.
The rule is “intended to establish safe conditions on the mountain for protesters, observatory workers and visitors,” according to a release from the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Protesters began blocking construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope in late March, keeping construction workers from making their way to the summit. Construction of the $1.4 billion TMT has been at a standstill since.
The last round of arrests was on July 31, where six people received citations and seven people were arrested. On April 2, 31 protesters were arrested.
Unlike the previous incident, all those arrested were residents of the Big Island.
Arrested were: Bronson Kobayashi, 23, of Hilo; Ruth Aloua, 26, of Kailua-Kona; Kuuipo Freitas, 26, of Kona; Patricia Ikeda, 65, of Captain Cook; Sandy Kamaka, 46, of Kailua-Kona; Hawane Rios, 36, of Waimea; Jennifer Leinaala Sleightholm, 41, of Waikoloa; Shanell Subica, 43, of Kailua-Kona. Kobayashi’s bond was set at $1,000, as he is considered a repeat offender. The six women had bond set at $250 each.
All were taken to the Hilo cellblock for processing.
