#aole dkist

The state DLNR today announced it will implement a temporary closure of unencumbered lands on Haleakalā during a convoy that starts today to the DKIST.

The group Kākoʻo Haleakalā is protesting ongoing construction atop the mountain, which they consider sacred.

A 120 day emergency rule that was implemented prohibiting camping atop Mauna Kea at night was invalidated by a circuit court judge on Friday, Oct. 9, 2015. Since the rule was enacted on July 14, several enforcement operations were conducted, resulting in a total of 21 reported citations or arrests.

In a third law enforcement operation since a 120 emergency rule was enacted, state officers with the Department of Land and Natural Resources dismantled and confiscated a large tent that protesters had erected atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.

This is the second round of arrests made since a 120-day emergency rule was passed by the Board of Land and Natural Resources and signed by the governor in July.

The Kākoʻo Haleakalā group has mobilized for a third time in opposition to the ongoing construction of the Daniel K Inouye Solar Telescope atop Haleakalā. Flares were lit on the road outside of the gate where a convoy carrying equipment and telescope parts was scheduled to depart this evening.

Crater Road and Haleakalā National Park’s summit road will close to visitor traffic while a slow moving convoy transports extremely wide loads to the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope near the volcano’s summit from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015.

Maui police identified the 20 individuals arrested (13 males and 7 women) and charged for blocking a convoy of heavy equipment and telescope parts from being delivered to Haleakala for the ongoing construction of the Daniel K Inouye Solar Telescope.