comscore TMT opponents go mobile with protest along Oahu roadways | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Every act of aloha counts. Click here to DONATE to the MAUI RELIEF Fund.
Top News

TMT opponents go mobile with protest along Oahu roadways

Honolulu Star-Advertiser logo
Unlimited access to premium stories for as low as $12.95 /mo.
Get It Now
  • CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM

    Vehicles traveled in a single lane of the H-1 freeway westbound through downtown Honolulu today. The convoy of vehicles was a mobile form of protest in solidarity with Thirty Meter Telescope opponents currently at Mauna Kea on Hawaii island.

Hundreds of vehicles began leaving Maunalua Bay in Hawaii Kai at 9 a.m. today, with people shouting “ku kia’i mauna” as they headed toward Maili.

An hour later, dozens of vehicles — many outfitted with Hawaii flags — were still pulling out of packed parking lots in East Honolulu.

The first group of approximately 70 vehicles was escorted by Honolulu police, but subsequent groups had to travel along with regular westbound traffic on the H-1 Freeway.

Several people in the line of vehicles said they wanted to show support for the protesters — also known as protectors — on Mauna Kea on Hawaii island, as well as teach a new generation how to protest peacefully.

Jon Kiko, of Kalihi, helped lead the convoy on his Honda CBR 900 RR motorcycle, along with fellow motorcycle club member Danny Zukeran of Waipio Gentry, who rode a Harley-Davidson Street Glide.

The convoy shows that Hawaiians “are not forgotten,” Zukeran said. And the protest against construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea is “not only pono. It’s righteous,” he said.

Kiko said, “We want to support the Hawaiian community best we can.”

>> Click here for more photos from today’s protest.

Kamakoa Zablan, of Kaimuki, waited in her 2019 Toyota 4Runner with her three boys — ages 8, 5 and 9 months old — near the back of a line of vehicles trying to leave the Maunalua Bay parking lot an hour later.

The back of her 4Runner had a stenciled sticker that read “Ku Kia’i Mauna.”

“The boys are asking, ‘Why are they putting more telescopes up there when there’s so many?’” Zablan said.

During the trip to Maili, where a potluck is planned today, supporters lined Kalanianaole Highway and its overpasses along with H-1 overpasses through town to wave at the convoy.

Dozens of people waved signs or held their hands aloft with thumbs and forefingers together to symbolize support for Mauna Kea.

Comments (207)

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines.

Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.

Click here to view ongoing news coverage of the Maui wildfires. Sign up for our free e-newsletter to get the latest news delivered to your inbox. Download the Honolulu Star-Advertiser mobile app to stay on top of breaking news coverage.

Be the first to know
Get web push notifications from Star-Advertiser when the next breaking story happens — it's FREE! You just need a supported web browser.
Subscribe for this feature

Scroll Up