Support for Thirty Meter Telescope protesters stretches across the islands

Protesters who want to halt construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope continue to gain momentum for their cause, with statements Monday from public officials, shows of support from around the country and a nod from Hawaii businesses shutting their doors in solidarity.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green visited Mauna Kea on Monday morning, talking extensively with protesters and Hawaiian elders.

“I am here to listen,” he said. “And I want to say I’m sorry for some of the things that have been said in the past days and week.”

Green didn’t specify what he was referring to, although Gov. David Ige and Department of Land and Natural Resources officials have expressed concerns about unsafe conditions at the site.

DLNR officials said law enforcement officers had observed alcohol and use of marijuana, and that their absence since likely came after protesters told law enforcement they would patrol the site.

Green said he hasn’t spoken with Ige during the last few days, but said he and the kupuna should meet directly. He earlier disagreed with Ige’s use of the National Guard.

>> Photo Gallery: Lt. Gov. Josh Green visits Mauna Kea

Even as the number of protesters on Mauna Kea fell Monday, 13 lawmakers from across the islands issued a statement urging Ige to rescind the emergency proclamation he issued last week.

The statement was signed by two state representatives, three state senators, three Council members from Maui County, three Hawaii County Council members and two Council members from Kauai County — but none from Honolulu.

“As elected officials, we recognize our shared kuleana to uplift the Hawaiian community and to protect the public trust,” according to the statement. “We respect the inalienable First Amendment rights of people to express their concerns and peacefully gather together as protectors and demonstrators in Kapu Aloha.”

Law enforcement remained largely inactive Monday.

State officials estimated the crowd at about 1,500 people, down from the peak over the weekend.

The Honolulu Police Department confirmed that 56 of its officers were sent to Hawaii island July 16 to assist law enforcement efforts at Mauna Kea but were returning Monday and today.

“Their assignment was to assist Hawaii police officers in keeping roadways clear for the movement of construction equipment and vehicles. Vans, trucks, and utility vehicles were shipped to transport the officers and their equipment, ” an HPD statement said. “The officers come from non-patrol and support units on Oahu. Their salaries will be paid by the department, and other expenses, including overtime and airfare, will be reimbursed by the Attorney General’s Office.”

Brenda White Bull, a member of the Sioux Tribe and opponent of the Dakota Access Pipeline, also visited Mauna Kea on Monday. Opponents of the pipeline held protests from 2016 to 2017 against the 1,172-mile oil- carrying pipeline that runs from North Dakota to Illinois. The project was completed and began moving oil in 2017.

White Bull, who addressed the United Nations to oppose the pipeline, noted similarities between the protests then and the current Native Hawaiian protests while on Mauna Kea. “It brings back emotions from Standing Rock,” she said. “The flags, the spirit of the people.”

The Old Lahaina Lu‘au went dark Monday night, “As part of our support of Mauna Kea,” the company said on its Facebook page.

“As stewards of our Hawaiian culture and in support of many of our employees’ convictions to protect Mauna Kea, which is one of our most sacred and environmentally significant places in Hawai‘i, Old Lahaina Lu‘au will respectfully make a peaceful stand by suspending our Luau experience on Monday July 22, 2019,” The Old Lahaina Lu‘au said, including the hastags #kukiaimauna and #kapualoha.

Likewise, Skyline Eco- Adventures said on its Facebook page that it closed its zip-line tours across the state Monday, “At the request of Hawaiian Cultural Practitioners and in respect to Hawaiian Culture.”

Campbell Estate heiress Abigail Kawananakoa released a statement that described Mauna Kea as a burial site of early chiefs and called the proliferation of telescopes on the summit “acts of desecration that must not continue.”

Kawananakoa, who helped fund the protest four years ago, said the nonviolent conflict on the mountain is reminiscent of the struggles to stop military bombing practice on Kahoolawe and to prevent Iolani Palace from being demolished for a parking lot.

“As the eldest granddaughter of HRH Prince David Laamea Kaluaonalani Piikoi, surnamed Kawananakoa, I affirm, as a matter of royal obligation, the sanctity of Mauna Kea as the final resting place of my grandfather’s chiefly ancestors, Kukahauula and Lilinoe,” the 93-year-old wrote.

“My many years have afforded me a unique perspective and Mauna Kea shall forever remain an endearment to me, I fully support those who strive to protect its sanctity.“