Gov. David Ige’s emergency proclamation for Mauna Kea was unnecessary and a way-over-the-top reaction to the actual situation at the mauna.

I was at the mauna along with hundreds of peaceful protectors last week, and I did not see a single instance of protector-instigated violence. Instead, the mauna protectors and supporters were repeatedly reminded — and consistently maintained — Kapu Aloha, acting with love and kindness.

To claim falsely that the proclamation was needed for public safety, Ige must have been misinformed or misled. Indeed, by blaming the protectors for a potential threat to public safety, he is promoting the same kind of fearmongering that President Donald Trump is spreading about immigrants.

As a former supporter of Ige, I urge that objective and responsible legislators and concerned citizens immediately flood his office with rebukes and demand that he rescind the unnecessary and alarming proclamation ASAP.

Danny H.C. Li

Keaau, Hawaii island

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