(HILO) – Eight people were arrested early this morning at a protest camp across the road from the Mauna Kea Visitors Center on Hawaii island.
MORE ARRESTS – Seven men and one woman were arrested overnight after violating the camping ban during their protest of the Thirty-Meter Telescope. Click to enlarge. (Photo Courtesy DLNR)
Seven women and one man were arrested for being present in the restricted area, outlined in the emergency rule passed by the Board of Land and Natural Resources and signed by Governor Ige. All of those arrested were transported by the Hawaii County Police Department to Hilo for booking.
This is the second law enforcement action on Mauna Kea, since the enactment of the 120-day-long emergency rule, intended to establish safe conditions on the mountain for protestors, observatory workers and visitors. 20 officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) made the arrests. They received transportation and booking assistance from four officers from the Hawaii County Police Department.
Rangers with the Office of Mauna Kea Management also assisted. During an earlier round of enforcement on July 31, six people received citations and seven people were arrested.
Arrested:
- Bronson Kobayashi-23, Hilo
- Sandy Kamaka-46, Kailua-Kona
- Hawane Rios-36, Kamuela
- Jennifer Leina’ala Sleightholm-41, Waikoloa
- Shanell Subica-43, Kailua-Kona
- Kuuipo Freitas-26, Kona
- Patricia Ikeda-65, Captain Cook
- Ruth Aloua-26, Kailua-Kona
Bail for Kobayashi was set at $1,000 due to being a repeat offender. Bail for all others was set at $250.