Hawaii: 20 Arrested for Blocking Telescope Construction Crew

from Warrior Publications

Maui police identified the 20 individuals arrested 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.

On Thursday, July 30, 2015 at around 10 p.m., officers with the Maui Police Department were summoned to Central Maui Baseyard to assist with crowd control and public safety issues involving the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope transport project. A representative of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy initiated a complaint that numerous individuals were blocking the exit, according to Maui police.

A crowd of demonstrators gathered in front of the Central Maui Baseyard access road and blocked the tractor trailers from entering onto Mokulele Highway. The tractor trailers were transporting equipment for the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope which is currently under construction on the summit of Haleakalā.

According to a press release issued by Maui police this afternoon, department officials say, “officers made every attempt to have the demonstrators cooperate and clear the way for the tractor trailers to gain access onto the roadway; however, they were met with opposition. Demonstrators laid on the ground and connected themselves with PVC pipes and chains.”

After extracting individuals, a total of 13 males and seven women were arrested.