thirty meter telescope

Updated: July 22, 4:30 p.m.

State officials estimated the crowd on Monday stood at 1,500 people at the site of the protest against the planned Thirty Meter Telescope. There were no arrests.

Officials said when informed by law enforcement officers about alcohol and marijuana use at the site last week, protest leaders said they would patrol the area and ask violators to leave. "Those efforts were successful as officers say there is no longer evidence of alcohol and marijuana use," the state said in a media news release.

Also, those climbing the volcanic cone at Puʻu Huluhulu were advised to take precautions to prevent the spread of Rapid Ohia Death. 
 

Updated: July 22, 4:16 p.m.

Fifty-six Honolulu police officers were sent to the Big Island to help with law enforcement at the Mauna Kea TMT protest, a police department spokeswoman said Monday. The number was provided to media representatives after City Councilman Ron Menor asked for information on the deployment in a letter to Police Chief Susan Ballard dated Monday.

Updated: July 21, 5:11 p.m.

About 2,000 people gathered Sunday near the intersection of Daniel K. Inouye Highway and Mauna Kea Access Road, state officials estimated. There were no arrests as the protest continues against the Thirty Meter Telescope planned near the summit of Mauna Kea.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige held an unusual news conference at the Hilo airport Friday afternoon, saying that he does not want to “escalate the situation” on Mauna Kea, and is not calling in additional troops from the National Guard.  

He says he has no plans to go to Mauna Kea, but remains concerned about safety conditions there. He is also not backing off plans to move construction equipment up the mountain.

“We have been very patient with all of those on Mauna Kea, but we will continue to enforce the law,” he said.

Walter Ritte has been fighting for decades to protect Native Hawaiian rights, inspiring a new generation of activists trying to stop construction of a giant telescope they see as representative of a bigger struggle.

Updated: July 19, 6:03 p.m.

At least two cultural practitioners have filed for temporary restraining orders against local officials in connection with the protest on Mauna Kea. In one, E. Kalani Flores is challenging use of Honolulu and Maui police in law enforcement activities on the mountain, stating they exceeded their territorial jursidiction in exercising their police powers along with Hawai'i Island police. The suit names the chiefs of police from the three counties.

WAILUKU — A fire that burned about 9,000 acres on Maui, diverted flights and forced evacuations last week cost roughly $400,000, officials and one landowner estimated.

The Maui News reported Wednesday that 28-year-old Holden Bingham was arrested Monday on suspicion of first-degree arson and unauthorized control of a propelled motor vehicle in connection with the fire.

Updated: July 18, 5:26 p.m.

A group of elders and protest leaders called on partners in the international collaboration that is building the Thirty Meter Telescope to stop the construction. In a press conference Thursday afternoon, Kealoha Pisciotta said: "We are in the midst of a human rights crisis, and a human crisis." Others spoke angrily about the arrest on Wednesday of 34 kupuna and one caregiver and the police in riot gear who faced off against the demonstrators.

Updated: July 17, 5:55 p.m.

State officials estimated 1,000 people gathered near the intersection of Daniel K. Inouye Highway and Mauna Kea Access Road Wednesday as the protests against the Thirty Meter Telescope ramped up following the arrests of over 30 native Hawaiian elders and others opposed to the observatory project.

Updated: July 16, 6:18 p.m.

State officials estimated about 200 protesters gathered near the intersection of Daniel K. Inouye Highway and Mauna Kea Access Road on Tuesday, day two of the protests against the Thirty Meter Telescope construction. It is a smaller crowd number than was estimated Monday, when 300 to 500 demonstrators gathered to protest the building of the telescope.

Updated: July 15, 3:20 p.m.

Same time, same place. Protesters and law enforcement expect to be back at Mauna Kea tomorrow after the anticipated arrests of protesters aiming to stop construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope did not materialize. Instead, there were frequent conversations between the protesters and law enforcement officials, with both sides saying they wanted to maintain the peace in a volatile situation.

Updated: July 14, 4:18 p.m.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige sought to quell rumors of a planned sweep to clear out protesters gathering at Mauna Kea as construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on the mountain begins this week.

MAUNA KEA — Scientists hope the massive telescope they plan to build atop Hawaii's highest peak, a world-renowned location for astronomy, will help them peer back to the time just after the Big Bang and answer fundamental questions about the universe.

Updated: July 10, 4:27 p.m.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige and the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory announced Wednesday that construction of the telescope on Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island will begin next week.

Updated: June 21, 12:29 p.m.

The controversial Thirty-Meter Telescope is moving ahead again, setting the stage for another round of protests. Gov. David Ige announced on Thursday that the project received a notice to proceed, meaning building of the telescope can resume on the summit of Mauna Kea.

The state Land Board voted 5 to 2 in favor of approving the construction permit for the controversial telescope.

A group opposing the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea is appealing to the state’s highest court for the second time. The group Mauna Kea Anaina Hou filed a notice of appeal with the Hawaii Supreme Court Monday evening.