It was the third attempt by a group of protesters to halt – or at least delay and disrupt – the scheduled delivery of massive components for the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST). Last night. however, most of the “action” was not focused on the Central Maui Baseyard – but at another point along the route to the summit of Haleakala.
RESTARTING – The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope is more than half-complete. Opponents of the project temporarily blocked the delivery of huge construction payloads last night. Click to enlarge. (UH Image)
Around 10 p.m. Wednesday night, Wailuku Patrol Officers were summoned to the Central Maui Baseyard to assist with crowd control and public safety issues involving the DKIST transport Project. A representative on behalf of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy initiated the complaint.
A crowd of about 150 protesters had gathered in the area of Central Maui Baseyard, however, no arrests were made as the demonstrators complied and moved to the sides for the convoy to enter onto the roadway.
Once the convoy reached the area of Haleakala Crater Road (State Highway 378) police encountered trees, rocks, and glass on the roadway. The scene was reminiscent of the sudden “appearance” of large rocks blocking the access road on Mauna Kea as delivery trucks were trying to ferry large components to the Thirty Meter Telescope project site on the Big Island.
Protesters last night on Maui were also seated on the roadway in attempts to block the convoy from passing. Police officers made multiple requests for the protesters to abstain from blocking the roadway, but, some refused. As a result, seven adult males and one adult female were placed under arrest. No juveniles were arrested. The convoy safely arrived at the summit of Haleakala.
Haleakala was closed for sunrise visitors today because of the slow convoy. And while the roads have now reopened, many Haleakala facilities inside the park remain closed until tomorrow.
The convoy safely arrived at the summit of Haleakala. HENDERSON, Joseph (26) No local address given FAILURE TO DISPERSE OBSTRUCTING DISORDERLY CONDUCT TOTAL BAIL: $400.00 RELEASED ON BAIL LOURO, Shane (39) Maunaloa, HI FAILURE TO DISPERSE OBSTRUCTING DISORDERLY CONDUCT TOTAL BAIL: $400.00 PUAA-FREITAS, Hanoa (22) Waihee, HI FAILURE TO DISPERSE OBSTRUCTING DISORDERLY CONDUCT TOTAL BAIL: $400.00 RELEASED ON BAIL KAUHANE, Keith (35) Lahaina, HI FAILURE TO DISPERSE OBSTRUCTING DISORDERLY CONDUCT TOTAL BAIL: $400.00 KAAIKALA, Kealii (21) Refused FAILURE TO DISPERSE OBSTRUCTING DISORDERLY CONDUCT TOTAL BAIL: $400.00 NOMURA, Chase (21) Makawao, HI FAILURE TO DISPERSE OBSTRUCTING DISORDERLY CONDUCT TOTAL BAIL: $400.00 KAEO, Hooleia (19) Kula, HI FAILURE TO DISPERSE OBSTRUCTING DISORDERLY CONDUCT TOTAL BAIL: $400.00 MANGAUIL, Joshua (28) Honokaa, HI OBSTRUCTING TOTAL BAIL: $100.00 RELEASED ON BAIL