Rocks Placed on Mauna Kea Road, Person of Interest Sought

Rocks on Mauna Kea Access Road. Photo courtesy DLNR.

Officers with the Department of Land and Natural Resources are seeking the public’s help in identifying a person of interest in an obstruction incident in which rocks were found placed on the Mauna Kea Access Road.

Authorities say the incident occurred in the late afternoon on Monday, May 16, 2016, at the 5.5 mile marker of the summit road, at the 12,500 foot level.

“The rocks created a potential safety hazard as they were placed in the downhill lane, in the middle of a sharp right hand corner,” according to information released by DLNR.

DOCARE officers interviewed workers on Mauna Kea, who reported seeing a man in the area just before and after rocks appeared on the road.

Person of interest (enhanced photograph). Photo courtesy DLNR.

Photos taken by a Hale Pōhaku Visitor Center security camera show a shirtless man carrying a plastic gallon container and walking uphill along the road. A telescope worker confirmed that this was the person they witnessed on the road at about the time the rocks were placed.

The person of interest is described as 5’5″ to 5’8”, with a slim build.

He was seen wearing light-colored white to light gray-colored board shorts and slippers, with a black-colored backpack. He was carrying an opaque plastic container.

Anyone with information is asked to contact DOCARE at (808) 643-DLNR.