Protestors blockade, but telescope parts delivery proceeds
Photo by Tre Cravalho
Kamehameha Schools students walk in a lei offering ceremony at a protest and blockade of deliveries to the Daniel K. Inouye telescope on Wednesday, August 19. Community groups are trying to halt construction of the scientific observatory on Haleakala.
KAHULUI–About 50 members of the Hawaiian community gathered at the Central Maui Baseyard, late in the evening on August 19, from approximately 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. They encircled the crosswalk directly outside the gate in hopes of preventing trucks, carrying telescope materials, to reach Haleakalā.
“We do have a voice, and we will use it,” said Kupono Aguirre, a Kamehameha Schools Maui junior. He said that these members of the Hawaiian community are trying to educate the public about their opposition to the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope.
After several hours of chanting and singing, the Maui Police Department issued a 5-minute disbursement order at about midnight, notifying the group that if they did not leave, consequences would soon follow.
More than 20 police officers gathered at the front of the gate in bullet-proof vests and pads. The officers moved back the protestors so that the trucks inside could leave the Central Maui Baseyard.
Despite the non-stop chanting and blockade, trucks successfully pulled out of the baseyard and delivered their loads to the construction area at the summit of Haleakalā.
Greg Cravalho • Aug 23, 2015 at 12:18 am
Aloha Kakou, I’m glad to see our nation rising to the call for such a time as this. Education of the truth and standing with a right spirit will raise our nation in righteousness. Mahalo to all that have taken a stand, I am proud of your courage and heart to protect and gain back that which is rightfully ours. I am a generation that have been victims to the indoctrination of lies by the United States and the school board. Shame on the kanakas that are apart of the system because of their jobs and unwillingness to be educated on the truth. I’m writing to you as a challenge to seek the truth, for the truth shall set you free. I myself have been misled and ignorant to the true history of what happen to our people. I am Kanaka o Hawaii, a man of Hawaii, I am Hawaiian by Nationality and proud of it. I continually pray for our people that we will Kulia ika Nuu and not lower our standard that have been handed down from the beginning of our Nation. Our Queen demonstrated the Grace, Wisdom and Intelligence to leave it open for the right generation to open the door. This is the generation that will see the rise of our Kingdom reestablish with dignity and honor. May the Lord Bless and keep us in the right way. Aloha KeAkua pu, pomaika’i Greg Cravalho